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MTIOIAL CONVEIVTION 



FARMERS, GARDENERS AND SILK CULTURISTS, 



MECHANICS' HALL, 

^,1-j IN T H K C I T V O 1' N E W YORK, 

»>N 'inn 12TH. 13Tn, and JOTII hays of OCTOBKR, ]?4C, 
I.\ COKNECTION WITH 

THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL FAIR 



AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Ni:W YORK: (f) 

J O ;-• i: P H II . J n X M \ G S . P R r N T K K , 12 -2 \ A P S A U S T . '\ 



1846. 



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PROCEEDINGS 



/ OF THB 

/ 

MTIOIAL CONVENTION 



FARMERS, GARDENERS AND SILK CULTURISTS, 

HELD AT 

MECHANICS' HALL, 

IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 

ON THE 1'2TH, i:iTH, AND 16TH DAYS OF OCTOBER, 1846, 
IN CONNECTION WITH 

THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL FAIR 

OF THE 

AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



NEW YORK: 

JOSEPH H. JENNINGS, PRINTER, 122 NASSAU ST, 

1846. 



OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 



New York, Octoher 12, 1846. 
In pursuance of the following Circular, addressed to farmers, gar- 
deners and silk culturists throughout the United States, by the Managers 
of the 19th Annual Fair of ^he American Institute, the Convention 
assembled this morning at Mechanics' Hall, 472 Broadway, New York. 

CIRCULAR. 

Sir — One of the most important arrangements embraced in this anni- 
versary celebration of American arts and industry, is the Convention of 
fanners, gardeners and silk culturists, which meet at the Mechanics' 
Hall, 472 Broadway, at 11 o'clock, on Monday, the 12th of October, 1846. 

It is called in conformity to resolutions of previous agricultural con- 
ventions, held during the Annual Fair of this Institute. 

It is deemed essential that this great interest should have some general 
system of action, in order to produce concert in such leading measures 
as, on consultation and deliberation, may be viewed, by an extensive repre- 
sentation of agriculturists and their friends, expedient. The present con- 
dition of agriculture and horticulture, the latest and most useful improve- 
ments that have been devised and adopted in different sections of our 
country, should be brought before this Convention, with suggestion of new 
ones. 

The influence of the tariffs, and other regulations of foreign nations on 
our domestic labor, on the character, comforts, independence and pros- 
perity of our agricultural population, will be considered as legitimate 
subjects of discussion. 

A home department of agriculture, so earnestly recommended by 
Washington and so long neglected, should obtain the early attention of 
this Convention, and effective measures taken to press it upon the con- 
sideration of the national legislature early at its next session. 

The addition of another great staple to our country's resources, con- 
stantly in demand in all the great markets of the world and calculated to 
produce a wholesome influence in our balancesof trade witii other nations, 
may be realized in silk. The means of removing the obstacles to its 
rapid growth, by suitable encouragement to sustain it in its infancy against 
foreign competition and at the same time promote its home manufacture, 
a sure and healthy mode of stimulating its extended growth, afford sub- 
jects that demand the best reflections of our wisest political economists. 



Nature has fitted America for a great silk country. Capital, labor and 
skill, judiciously directed and applied, cannot fail soon to place it high on 
the catalogue of our richest staples. 

As friends of agriculture and horticulture, and of the silk culture in 
particular, whether engaged directly or indirectly in these important 
branches of industry or not, we respectfully invite you to come with your 
friends to the celebration, and we ask you to take part in the deliberations 
of the Convention. 

We will promise you rich treats in our cattle shows, ploughing exhibi- 
tions, displays of the productions of the farm and garden in unsurpassed 
vegetables, fruits and flowers, and the finest specimens of the factory 
and workshop in almost numberless variety. In the various addresses, 
from time to time during the Fair, from some of our most distinguished 
scholars and statesmen, will be furnished an almost continued feast of 
reason for those who seek intellectual enjoyment. Every American 
citizen has a most noble duty to perform on this great continent where 
Heaven has placed us. We are to make it, if possible, a greater scene 
of earthly happiness than has ever yet been vouchsafed to mankind. Let 
us do every thing to beautify, to enrich it, and to render it in civilization 
and the arts the admired of all nations. 

On behalf of the Managers, 

T. B. WAKEMAN, 

Corresponding Secretary. 

P. S. The " Van Schaick Premium " of 1000 dollars, generously given 
by Myndert Van Schaick, Esq, of this city, to be bestowed by the Ameri- 
can Institute in premiums of $100, for ten successive years, will be 
awarded as follows : 

For the best piece of silk stuff, 27 inches in width and 60 yards in 
length, manufactured in the United States within the year, from native 
silk, $50. 

For the best and greatest quantity of American silk, uniformly reeled, 
not less than 20 pounds, $20. 

For the best sewings, of any color, made entirely from American silk, 
not less than 10 lbs., $10. 

For the best peanut cocoons, not less than one bushel, $10. And to 
each of the successful competitors the " Van Schaick Medal." Other 
premiums on silk will be bestowed, as usual, by the Institute. All silk 
culturists and manufacturers are invited to send in their specimens as 
early as the 1st, 2d or 3d of October. 

There were many delegates from other states and a large number from 
New York in attendance. 

On motion, Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, of Massachusetts, was appointed 
temporary Chairman, and Dr. D. J. Browne was chosen Secretary, pro 
tempore. 

On motion of Col. Clark, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Lawrence, 
Wakeman and Meigs, was appointed to nominate officers for the Con- 
vention. 

By request, the names of delegates present were handed to the secre- 
tary. 



During the absence of this committee, the chairman, 

Gen. Dearborn, rose and said, " I feel much honored by the station in 
which you have placed me. It is no ordinary compliment to be selected 
to preside over so important a body as this Convention. I felt that I was 
especially honored when I entered this hall, devoted as it is to the im- 
provement and elevation of American mechanics. I cannot but feel proud 
of the country and the city whose laboring men enjoy such advantages ; 
here the poor apprentice has the knowledge of the past and of the present 
within his reach ; books and lectures are in his hands and before his 
mind. It is only within the last half century that philosophy has 
descended from lofty college halls to dwell with the poor mechanic. A 
few years since her inestimable treasures were locked up in high-priced 
books, or more effectually shut out from the common scholar by being 
written in the Latin and Greek languages. It is within our day that that 
great dictionary of nature, Newton's Principia, was first translated from 
its original Latin into English. When Nathaniel Bowditch, one of the 
greatest men of this country, was a poor boy, he got hold of a long desired 
copy of the Principia. To his great disappointment, it was written in 
Latin, of which he was perfectly ignorant. Undismayed by the gloomy 
prospect, he procured a Latin dictionary and, without grammar or lessons, 
labored through the whole of Newton's work — read understandingly the 
immutable laws of nature there laid down ; and after that he could read 
any Latin book. Thus did our indomitable American boy toil up the 
hill of science, and as an astronomer ranked before his death next the 
great La Place. When La Place began to publish his remarkable work, 
' Mechanique Celeste,' the Edinburgh professors said there were not 
more than nine men in England who could read it understandingly. 
What did our Bowditch do ? He not only read it, but translated it into 
English, and gave us, pari, passu with the author, a complete version of 
that voluminous work. He corresponded with La Place and other learned 
men of Europe continually, and the last work that he performed on his 
sick bed was to correct the last proof sheets of La Place's mighty work, 
to which he had added several thousand valuable notes and illustrations. 
He went to his grave the first astronomer in America, almost the first in 
the world. This was but one specimen of the versatility of his talent ; 
this was what a poor boy could do, and what many a boy of this city can 
do by the aid of such libraries and halls as they have here. I, therefore, 
feel proud to stand in Mechanics' Hall, devoted as it is to the mechanic 
and scientific interests. But this is a Convention of farmers, gardeners 
and silk culturists, each interest represented by men prominent in their 
respective vocations." General D. rapidly sketched the early history of 
agriculture — spoke of the quadrupeds, birds and insects made subject to 
man, of which the dog only had become his friend — of the settlement of 
new lands, the importance of corn and wine, the value of silk, d:c., &c. 

The committee to nominate ofiicers returned and reported as follows : 
For President, H. A. S. Dearborn, of Brooklir.e, Mass. ; for Vice Presi- 
sidents, John Ogden, of Newark, N. J., and A. P. Byram, of Kentucky ; 
for Secretaries, T. C. Munn, of Orange, N. J., and D. J. Browne, of 
Long Island. 

On motion, the report was accepted and the officers appointed. 

On motion of Mr. T. B. Wakeman, Dr. Underbill, of Westchester co., 
N, Y., Dr. L. A. Smith, of Essex co., N. J., Jenisen G. Ward, of Mont- 
gomery CO., N. Y., Henry Meigs, of New York city, and Dr. Field, of 



Duchess CO., N. Y., were appointed a committee to prepare business for 
the action of the Convention. 

Mr. James Darrach, of Orange co., N. Y,, read a memorial on the 
subject of agricultural education, addressed to the national convention 
of farmers, gardeners and silk culturists, held in the city of New York, 
at the call of the American Institute, October 12, 1846. 

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention : — 

By resolution and appointment of an association of farmers, citizens of 
Orange county, in this state, for the promotion of agricultural education, 
James Darrach, Samuel Wait, jr., and Lindley Murray Ferris, appear to 
present the following memorial, which we beg leave now to submit : — 

The necessity for any education grows out of the duties which man 
has to perform and the exigencies to which he is subject in their perform- 
ance. Their peculiar character determines its extent. Omitting the 
equal constant relative ones of social life, the unequal and varying duties 
and exigencies of the arts and professions require an unequal extent and 
varying character of education. He that pursues an art whose materials 
are simple and always under like conditions, requires a less extent of 
education than he who pursues an art whose materials are complex and 
under varying conditions ; and thus in proportion to that complexity and 
range of conditions. 

Applying these simple truths to the farmer, we arrive at once to the most 
cogent proof that he requires an extent of education unsurpassed by any 
other profession. Soil, gaseous compounds and their products, his ma- 
terials, are the most complex. Light, heat, electricity, moisture, his 
conditions, are the most susceptible and variable ; whilst both materials 
and conditions are alike betimes subjects and lords of that inscrutable 
power, vitality. 

It is not now necessary to draw upon the other fruitful sources of evi- 
dence to establish the necessity which the farmer has for a large extent of 
knowledge in science. Strange as it may appear, it is not more untrue 
that this necessity is less felt than in any other profession. It is not only 
not acknowledged by the farmer, but an unnatural antagonism exists 
between him and science. Sneering at " book-farming," as he denomi- 
nates science, he rejects it as his guide, either entire or in part. The 
son destined to merchandize, mechanics, or a learned profession, enjoys 
from his liberal bounty the advantage of the schools which they have 
established ; while that one whose destiny is to breathe the health-giving 
fragrance of the freshly-turned sod, graduates at the district school. 

Laudable attempts have been made to destroy this antagonism. Writers 
have divested science of her peculiar and appropriate language, clothed 
her reasonings in more familiar phrase, displayed her beauties and pro- 
claimed her triumphs. The weekly agricultural column of the country 
newspapers, the twenty-seven agricultural periodicals issued in nineteen 
different states, agricultural societies and farmers' clubs, by joint diffusion 
of the knowledge of results obtained, have struck it a mighty blow. It 
has been weakened, but not destroyed ! It has been cowed into silence ! 
but it still lives, though seldom manifested other than by positive or nega- 
tive action. Until it is rooted up and cast into the fire of public shame, 
our American agriculture will be slow in its improvements, and her 
interests long remain the prey of the demagogue and the neglect of our 
legislatures. 



Can it be destroyed ? It can ! To accomplish this good end, correct 
and definite views of an agricultural education must be obtained and 
diffused, the institutions for affording such education established and sus- 
tained. 

Those who have not paid attention to prevailing notions of an agricul- 
tural education, may not be aware how incongruous, crude and indefinite 
is their character. To give a just impression, it will not be necessary to 
bring specimens for description from their multitudinous species, genera 
and orders. They may be arranged under two classes. The classic 
description of one is, that all the professional education a farmer needs 
can be only acquired at the tail of the plough, the nib of the scythe and 
the staff of the flail. Of the other, that the pursuits of the labaratory, and 
the studies of the museum are the only and sufficient requisites. Into one 
or the other of these the individuals of the mass may be resolved. Illus- 
trations to the Convention of their error is deemed useless. To those 
possessing any just views of the requirements of agriculture they are 
both evidently wrong. For it may be asked, if they are wrong, what 
are right notions ? 

In answer we would reply, we have come to this Convention to ask of 
its wisdom an answer to that question, and also of its adjunct. By what 
mode shall facilities for the attainment of an agricultural education be 
offered ? 

In asking these questions, however, it becomes us to state the views at 
which the association we represent has arrived, after a careful examina- 
tion of the character and modes by which a professional education is 
obtained in other arts and professions, and otherwise. 

In commerce, in mechanics, in engineering, in teaching, in law, in 
medicine, in theology, it was found to be contemporaneous instruction in 
the practice and sciences belonging to each, subsequent to a proper pre- 
parative course of elementary and disciplinary education. 

The application of this universally adopted principle is met at the 
outset with a difficulty which at first seems insuperable. It exists in dif- 
ference of circumstances. The future merchants and mechanics are 
sufficiently numerous in large villages and cities to sustain schools and 
lectures, upon which they could attend during intervals of release from 
their practical duties. The future divines, while enjoying instruction at 
their seminaries, find opportunities of practice at the social meetings of 
the pious as well as in the exercise of their schools. The future lawyers, 
while fulfilling the duties of the office, embrace the exercises of their 
courts and the fruitful advantages of the halls of justice. The future 
physicians, gathered at their colleges, collect and study the precepts, 
principles and experience of their profession, whilst they enjoy the clinics 
of their private instructors or a hospital. The future farmers have no 
such advantages. Their practical instruction requires the farm and the 
farmer. Their theoretic the instructor in agricultural science. There 
is no common centre where the expense of this education could be divided 
among a company of fellow students. 

Upon this view of the difference of circumstances, the plan of gathering 
a sufficient number for the support of scientific instruction upon a single 
farm was examined and abandoned, ii being supposed upon any ordinary 
sized farm as insufficient to afford necessary opportunities for practical 
education. It seemed impossible to adopt the principles of contempora- 



neous instruction, so tar as regarded the union of the theory, economy 
and practice of farming. 

The suggestion at last arose, that in districts where farms were of 
moderate size and the farmers generally of superior character, pursuing 
a mixed husbandry, they might be united in an association, under proper 
regulations, to receive and become practical instructors, each to a few 
young men, in the practical duties and economy of the farm, who collec- 
tively might be able to sustain a school in the sciences relating thereto. 

This suggestion was carried out last March, in the establishment of the 
•' Orange County Scientific and Practical Agricultural Institute," and is 
more fully illustrated in the following extracts from their announcement : — 

" We, the undersigned, present to the favorable consideration of the 
public a short detail of the plan of this Institute, recently organized by a 
number of exemplary farmers residing in the same neighborhood, some 
explanation of which is embodied in the following extract from the written 
agreement : — 

" ' I, James Darrach, of the town of Montgomery, county of Orange, 
and state of New York, farmer, do hereby covenant and agree to give to 
the pupils all necessary scientific instruction in practical agriculture, by 
lectures, instructions and examinations, in such way as will most conduce 
to advance them in thorough knowledge of all the theoretic part of the 
business. And we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, agree, with 
said James Darrach, that we, and each of us, will receive into our families 
the number of pupils mentioned opposite our names, and instruct them 
to the full extent of our power in all the practical branches of agricul- 
ture and the manual operations of the same, and also watch over their 
morals and habits, in the same manner that we would our own children 
for their permanent good.' 

" The character of this plan presents highly important claims to the 
favorable consideration of parents and pupils. 

" The difficulty in any course of practical agricultural education, in 
institutions where the teachers and scholars occupy and are confined to 
a single farm, is that nearly the whole practical economy of the farm, in 
the house and in the fields, must necessarily be omitted ; and thus the 
pupil maybe taught the art of farming, but those economical details which 
make the business profitable as well as pleasant, must afterwards be 
learned by the expensive teacher — experience." 

Our plan, on the contrary, places the pupil in the hands of good prac- 
tical farmers, w^hose living and happiness are at stake in the successful 
prosecution of their business. 

With them, economy and methodical arrangement are necessary and 
important elements of success. Consequently this branch of the business 
will be taught precisely in the same manner in which it will have subse- 
qu ently to be performed by the pupils themselves, if they should follow 
the business. While we dwell with confidence upon the peculiar advan- 
tages of these considerations, we offer equal inducements in regard to 
scientific instruction. 

His course of instruction, while it is mainly directed in its application 
to agriculture, will embrace most of the academic studies, so that a 
thorough English education may be proceeding at the same time. 

Among the branches which will receive particular attention may be 
numerated thel e alments of the natural sciences, and the application to 



agriculture, vegetable and animal physiology, mathematics, natural and 
moral philosophy. 

So far as the experience of six montlis will enable us to judge, the only 
remaining obstacles to complete success, independent of those arising from 
want of proper endowments, arc such as are common to any plan to 
accomplish such education. These are the antagonisms between the 
farmer and science, erroneous notions of its nature, and the opinion that 
the experience and practice of one district was of no use in another 
where a different kind of crop was grown. 

A purely professional education of the farmer, consisting not only in 
practical skill and all the elements of science, but also in the application 
of its developments to the great phenomena of life, require the same 
preparative studies as medicine or any other profession. 

Its own requirements are of a high character ; a knowledge of the laws 
and accounts of trade, of the mechanical principles and skillful use of 
machinery and implements, the study of vegetable and animal physiology, 
of rocks, soils, atmosphere, water, the imponderable agents and decom- 
posing organisms ; also their applications, actions and transmutations, 
under or destitute of vitality. In a word, a knowledge of the commerce, 
geoponics, genomia, zoonomia, hydrology, and chemistry of agriculture, 
with facility in examining and making their records. This profession, 
then, like others, demands the same preparative of instruction. It is im- 
possible to except anything from the course but the dead languages ; but 
though these are excepted, they must ever be deemed as the aids and 
polish of an education which may be acquired without them. 

The general attainments of youth contemplating the pursuits of agri- 
culture, demand that instructions for their benefit should be both prepara- 
tive and professional. The amount of acquirement requisite for admission 
to such institutions should be good attainments in the rudiments of an 
English education, including a thorough acquaintance with arithmetic, 
grammar and geography. The age, with rare exceptions, should not be 
under fifteen years. 

As already remarked, we appear here as delegates to ask your inves- 
tigation of the broad subject of agricultural education. 

If the views presented, the result of two years' investigation, are correct, 
the association we represent would respectfully urge their sanction by the 
Convention in some suitable manner, but if not, that such views should 
be expressed as may be the result of deliberations due to the importance 
of the subject. 

But whether correct or not, they would further call your attention to 
the want of proper institutions, with proper endowments. 

The influence of existing preparative institutions is thrown towards 
other pursuits, yet there are no means of favor for us as farmers. Ancient 
Yale has just established an agricultural professorship, from which we 
would fain augur something for the advancement of agricultural science ; 
other colleges are examining the signs in its firmament. 

Theology dots the land with her seminaries, law-schools gather around 
the purlieus of our courts ; medicine every Winter gathers her 1000 
students in a sister city, and in fair pro|)ortion where clinical and other 
instructions are offered ; commerce and mechanics meet us on every 
hand with their libraries, their institutes, and their lectures. The noble 
hall in which you are assembled is dedicated to the latter. Where are 
the corresponding advantages for our profession ? Where is the profes- 



10 

sional school for the farmer ? We commit no fraud upon others by using 
the word profession. Agriculture is a profession. Its high requirements 
of science, and such action of the Convention as its interests demand, will 
ere long entitle it to the appellative of" learned profession." We repeat 
the question, Where is the professional school for the farmer ? Where ? 
Let it be asked aloud, till the sound of it reaches the South, and West, and 
North; till echo rolls back from the Green and Rocky Mountains the 
empty sound. Let the Convention repeat it, and repeat it till a voice from 
every state answering " here," shall drown echo's wearisome reply. 

From this state three infant voices have reached our ears. During last 
Spring the public prints announced that an agricultural school would be 
opened in the western part of this state upon the farm of Gen. Harmon ; 
another in Duchess county, upon the farm of John Wilkinson, Esq., and 
under his care, the third in Orange county, as has been already noticed. 
In Franklin College, Tennessee, some attention is paid to agriculture, and 
it appears by public announcement that James Gowen, Esq., of Phila- 
delphia, has purchased a property near his farm at Mount Airy, with the 
view of establishing an agricultural college. 

It is worthy of remark, that these five and, so far as we are informed, 
only efforts, have been made by private individuals, with the exception, 
perhaps, of the Orange County Institute — single handed enterprize. Ot 
the Orange County Institute it is only proper for us to say, it is in its 
earliest stage of growth, now six months old, with five youths in training. 
Its fruit cannot be matured so as to have a reflex on its welfare under 
several years. Eighteen months hence it hopes to present to the friends 
of American agriculture its first offering at the shrine of science united to 
practical skill. At present, from the nature of the case, it casts itself 
upon the public favor, with no other testimonial than personal references 
as to character and qualifications of its instructors. If worthy we ask 
for it the nourishing patronage of American agriculture. 

But, whether we or our fellow laborers succeed or fail in our enter- 
prize, let not, we pray, the great cause of an elevated and liberal profes- 
sional education for the farmer stand still, waiting the issue of these feeble 
efforts. Let its progress be kept onward and onward until the American 
farmer shall delight his leisure with the writings of literature and science, 
be an honored guest within their halls, and be ashamed to seek advocates 
of his and his brethren's interests at the door of other professions. 

We fain hope there will be found in this Convention sufficient patriotism, 
esprit de corps, enterprize and energy, to put this noble interest upon a 
broad and permanent basis. 

All which we respectfully submit. 

(Signed) J. DARRACH, 

SAMUEL WAIT, Jr. 
LINDLEY M. FERRIS, 
In behalf of the Orange County Association of Farmers 
for the promotion of agricultural education. 

Near Walden, Orange co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1846. 

On motion, the subject was referred to a committee, consisting of 
Messrs. Meigs, Underbill and Hyde. 

Mr. Meigs moved that a committee be appointed to draw up a memorial 
to Congress, for the establishment of " Washington's Home Department 
of Agriculture," — that said committee consist of thirteen, and that the 



11 

number present have power to proceed with business, which motion was 
carried, and the following gentlemen named as the committee : 

Henry Meigs, of New York, Chairman ; A. P. Bryam, Brandensburg, 
Ky. ; Moses B. Coe, Newark, N. J. ; Martin Ellsworth, East Windsor, 
Con. ; Judge Tiffany, Fultonville, Montgomery co., N. Y. ; James Dar- 
rach. Orange co., N. Y. ; Wm. J. Gilchrist, Saratoga co., N. Y. ; Peter 
H. Brink, Saugerties, Ulster co., N. Y. ; Jacob D. Van Winkle, Hudson 
CO., N. J. ; Jenison S. Ward, Gloversville, Fulton co., N. Y. ; Dr. L. 
A. Smith, Essex co., N. J. ; Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass. ; 
Dr. R. T. Underbill, New York. 

A miscellaneous conversation followed, in which many of the members 
participated, concerning education, an agricultural department in the 
general government, value of the dead languages in scientific education, 
preparing a memorial to Congress, &;c., &c., the substance of which will 
more fully appear in the subsequent reports and speeches. 

On motion, the Convention adjourned, to meet at the same place, at 11 
o'clock the day following. 

Tuesday, October 13, 1846. 

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Gen. Dearborn taking 
the chair. 

The minutes of the first day's proceedings were read, and after some 
corrections, approved. 

Dr. Underbill, from the Committee to prepare business, reported in part 
as follows : 

1. Letters and communications to be read. 

2. The memorial from Orange county concerning education to be taken 
up. 

3. Matters pertaining to the establishment of a department of agricul- 
ture in the general government, considered. 

4. Investigation of the effects of the gases from burning brick kilns on 
vegetation. 

5. Diseases of the potato. 

6. The culture of silk. 

7. The culture of native grapes for wine and the table. 
There being no communications, 

Mr. Meigs, from the committee on Orange County Memorial, reported 
the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted : 

The committee to whom was committed the memorial addressed to this 
Convention from the Orange County Scientific and Practical Agricultural 
Institute, on the nature of a professional agricultural education and mode 
of attaining the same, beg leave to report the following preamble and 
resolutions as justly expressive of the high interest which they take in 
agricultural education. 

Whereas, the relations of science and practical agriculture are by their 
natures inseparable, and ought to be united in the person of every Ameri- 
can farmer ; and whereas, contemporaneous instruction in science and 
practice is the true method of accomplishing a useful agricultural educa- 
tion ; and whereas, this cannot be accomplished except where opportunities 
for both scieniific instruction and full performance of practical duties in 
the manipulations and economy of the farm are afforded ; and whereas, 
the memorial committed to us presents superior facilities to effect this 
object, by placing just so many students as can find sufficient profitable 



employment upon separate and contiguous farms, with the owners thereof 
as practical instructors, while at the same time competent scientific in- 
structions are afforded to all by a professor of agricultural science and 
teachers of preparative studies : Therefore 

Resolved, This Convention approves the plan presented in the memorial, 
and earnestly recommends its adoption where circumstances will warrant. 

Resolved, The Orange County Scientific and Practical Agricultural 
Institute is worthy the patronage of the public. 

And further, Whereas the necessities of this Institute for apparatus and 
other proper educational appliances are great, and as the gentlemen en- 
gaged therein are proper and responsible men, therefore 

Resolved, This Convention cordially recommends it to the liberality of 
the friends of agriculture and education for a share of their bounty, and 
further commend it as worthy of legislative endowment bv the state of 
New York. H. MEIGS,' Chairman. 

Mr. Meigs then reported the following circular and memorial in regard 
to the Agricultural Bureau ; which were adopted : 

Report of commiltee on Washington'' s Department for Agriculture, to 
the National Convention of Farmers, Gardeners and Silk Culturists. 

New York, October 13th, 1846. 

The committee of the Convention to whom was referred the subject of 
a memorial to Congress, asking for the establishment of Washington's 
'■^Agricultural Department of Government,''^ 

Respectfully report, That they have had the same under consideration, 
and see no reason to alter their judgment, but every reason to again en- 
deavor to enforce that of the preceding conventions. They have con- 
sidered that General Washington's views on this subject have the same 
deep and noble character as when he gave them to his country in one ot 
his last messages to Congress. The committee here beg leave to repeat his 
most memorable words : — 

"It will not be doubted, that with reference either \o individual ox na- 
tional loelfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as 
nations advance in population and other circumstances of maturity, this 
truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more 
and more an object of public patronage. Institutions for promoting it 
grow up, supported by the public purse — and to what object can it be de- 
dicated with greater propriety ? Among the means which have been em- 
ployed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than the 
establishment of Boards composed of proper characters, charged with 
collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums and small 
pecuniary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and im- 
provement, by stimulating to enterprize and experiment, and by drawing 
to a common centre the results everywhere of individual skill and obser- 
vation, and by spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience 
accordingly has shown that they are very cheap instruments of immense 
national benefits. ^^ 

Such was the language of Washington when at the summit of his wis- 
dom ! 

It is strange indeed, that he should have spoken in vain. Fifty years 



13 

have passed away since the words were uttered and nothing has yet 
been done. Is it because farmers are so attentive to the farm that they 
have no time to think of this ? Is it because farming is a low occupation, 
to be followed only by men of little knowledge, that the few who en- 
gross to themselves science or official distinction, look upon farmers as 
mere operatives ? 

Such was not the view of the greatest men of ancient Rome. They, 
like Washington, held up to glory the cultivation of the soil. Cincinnatus- 
cultivated the land with his own hands and by that example made it an or- 
der of the highest nobility. And Washington, like him, was a farmer, and' 
begged his country to ennoble it by establishing a separate department 
of government to take charge of it. 

Let us see what would be the practical effect of establishing such a 
department. The public purse would be employed in procuring all the 
seeds, plants, and animals of use or pleasure, from every part of this 
globe ! It would have the means of doing all this, through the vast mul- 
titude of agents it could employ, consisting of the officers of the navy, 
army, foreign ministers, charges, and consuls; through the aid of cap- 
tains, supercargoes, and agents of ships in every quarter of the world. 

By its power to diffuse these seeds, plants, and animals throughout our 
land ; by its power to send to any farmer that desired it, portions of all 
these, and the most accurate and authentic accounts of their origin, qual- 
ities and modes of production ; by establishing such premiums for great 
agricultural improvements as would produce the very highest competition 
—by all this, every intelligent farmer would keep his eye upon the 
department which so deeply concerns his welfare, and would feel him- 
self ennobled by its existence. 

The department would employ clerks well acquainted with the agricul- 
tural history of all nations. Correspondence would be established with all 
foreign and domestic agricultural societies. The sovereigns of the old 
world would communicate with the department, and thus the great landed 
interest become eminent among all nations, and the eternal truth 
brought up to the view of all men, that the glory of nations, their virtue^ 
and their high agriculture are three inseparable facts ! 

H. MEIGS, 

Chairman of the committee. 

(Signed)— -A. P. Byram, Kentucky. 

Moses B. Coe, New Jersey. 

Martin Ellsworth, Connecticut. 

Isaac H. Tiffany, Montgomery, N. York. 

James Darrach, Orange co., N. York. 

Wm. J. Gilchrist, Saratoga, N. York. 

Peter H. Brink, Saugerties, N. York. 

Jacob D. Van Winkle, Bergen, N. J. 

Jenison S. Ward, Gloversville, N. York. 

Dr. L. a. Smith, Essex, N. J. 

H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass. 

Dr. R. T. Underbill, Croton Point, N. F. 



14 



MEMORIAL 

Of the National Convention of Farmers, Gardeners and Silk Culturists, 

TieldinNew York, October }4th, 1846. 
To THE Congress of the United States, 

On Washington's Department of Agriculture. 

The National Convention of Farmers, Gardeners and Silk Culturists, 
now in session in the city of New York, respectfully present the follow- 
ing memorial, unanimously adopted by this Convention, viz : 

Your memorialists, in common with a large body of the American 
agriculturists, have, for some time past, deemed it of the highest impor- 
tance to the agriculture of their country, to carry into execution the views 
■of Washrngton, as expressed in one of his last messages to Congress, re- 
lative to the establishment by government of a Department for Agricul- 
ture. And we here beg leave to repeat his words. 

" It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or 
national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as 
nations advance, in population and other circumstances of maturity, this 
truth becomes more apparent, and renders (he cultivation of the soil 
more and more an object of public fatronage. Institutions for promo- 
ting it grow up, supported by the public purse, and to what object can it 
he dedicated with greater propriety ? Among the means which have been 
employed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than 
the establishment of Boards, composed of proper characters, charged 
with collecting and diffusing imformation, and enabled by fremiums and 
small pecuniary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and 
improvement, by stimulating to enterprize and experiment, and by draw- 
ing to a common centre the results every where, of individual skill 
and observation, and by spreading them thence over the whole na- 
tion. Experience has, accordingly shown that they are very cheap in- 
struments of immense national benefits." 

Such was the language of Washington when at the summit of his wis- 
dom. Yet, strange to say, fifty years have passed away since these 
words were uttered and nothing has yet been done. 

Is it because farming is a low occupation unworthy the notice of gov- 
ernment ? Is it because they are mere operatives, whose interests are 
below the notice of the government ? Such were not the views of the 
greatest men of ancient Rome. Cincinnatus, like our Washington, was 
a farmer, and held up to glory the cultivation of the soil! Cincinnatus 
by his own example ennobled the farmer, and Washington precisely 
imitated him. 

We most earnestly ask Congress to look at the practical effect of the 
establishment of Washington's Department for Agriculture. 

The public purse would then be employed in obtaining all the seeds, 
all the plants, all the animals, for use and for pleasure, from every part 
of the globe. The department would have the means, already in exis- 
tence, of doing all this, through the multitude of agents employed by 
government, consisting of officers of our army and navy — o^ consuls, 
charges, ministers — and would also obtain the aid of every captain of 
our vast mercantile marine, and the agents of our immense commerce in 
every land. And it would have the power not only to concentrate at 
Washington all these good things, but all manner of accurate information 



15 

relative to their origin, qualities, and modes of raising and utility ; and 
diffusing all this in the most authentic manner among our farmers. And 
by establishing appropriate premiums for excellence, in every branch of 
the farming and gardening pursuits, the highest spirit of emulation vvould 
be produced. Such a department would attract the eye of every culti- 
vator and cause him to feel that noble pride which of right belongs to 
his inestimable labors. Such a department would employ clerks ac- 
quainted with foreign languages — a constant correspondence would en- 
sue between it and all important agricultural societies, and with all the 
governments of the earth. Its questions would be promptly and authen- 
tically answered from China to Great Britain, and from Russia to New 
Holland ; every facility would be given to the transportation of plants and 
animals to our country from all foreign lands. 

The sovereigns of Europe would cheerfully lend their aid in all this — 
for they all feel now, more than has been felt by their predecessors for the 
last fifteen centuries, the surpassing importance of the agriculture of the 
icorld. They all feel that the glory of nations, their virtue, and their 
high agriculture are three inseparable facts ! 

HENRY MEIGS, of New York, 

Chairman of the Committee. 

(Signed.) — H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass. 
A. P. Byram, Kentucky. 
Moses B. Coe, New Jersey. 
Martin Ellsworth, Connecticut. 
Isaac H. Tiffany, Montgomery co., N. Y. 
James Darrach, Coldenham, Orange co.. N. Y. 
Wm. J. Gilchrist, Saratoga, N. Y. 
Peter H. Brink, Savgerties, N. Y. 
Jacob D. Van Winckle, Bergen, N. J. 
Jenison S. Ward, Gloversville, N. Y. 
Dr. L. a. Smith, Essex, N. Y. 
Dr. R. T. Underhill, Croton Point. 

(Signed)— H. A. S. DEARBORN, 

President of the Convention. 

H. P. Byram, of Kentucky, } Vice 

JohnOgden, of Netvark, New Jersey, \ Presidents. 



J. C. Munn, of New Jersey, } c ^ ■ 

D. J. Bkow^e, of Brooklyn, L. /., I S^^''^'""^^- 



Dr. Underhill (on the call of the 4th subject in the order of business) 
said, " The subject, though perhaps new to many, has engaged my mind 
for six years, during which time I have studiously sought for a remedy. 
My attention was first called to the subject by a gentleman who observed 
that after a light shower all his vineyard appeared to be in a sickly con- 
dition, an effect just the reverse from what might be anticipated from rain. 
He thought possibly that the vines had been injured by electric fluid 
running along the wires which supported them. This reason was not 
satisfactory, and after some observation I was satisfied that the injury 
was done by the gases from a neighboring brick kiln. Subsequent obser- 
vations confirmed this opinion. The eftects upon the leaves of trees and 
plants are much like those of a severe fire ; the tender and pendulous 



16 

portions of leaves are turned to a reddish-brown color, and curl up 
as if seared by extreme heat. In some instances, spots are, as it were, 
burned through, as if strong acid had dropped upon them. The cause 
of this appears to me to ar se from the anthracite coal used in making 
brick. This is used to facilitate their burning; in those nearest the 
fire only three pecks is put into a thousand bricks, while those on the 
outside contain twelve bushels per thousand. This is the case in one 
brick yard, according to the statement made to me by the owner himself. 
The quantity of coal may vary in different localities, but something near 
this proportion probably exists in all cases. When the burning is nearly 
done, the coal in the outside bricks is on fire, and large quantities of car- 
bonic acid gas, sulphuretted hydrogen, carburetted hydrogen, and perhaps 
a little phosphorated hydrogen, are evolved. These gases, (particularly 
the last,) are most active and injurious to vegetation. When the atmos- 
phere is moist, and in foggy weather with a light breeze, their effects are 
traceable for miles. In some instances you will find the track of a 
stream from 100 yards to half a mile in width and several miles in 
length. If a heavy rain happens at the same time, the effect is less 
serious ; it seems to wash off the injurious gas. These injuries occur 
not only in vineyards, but are observed on forest trees, shrubbery, fruit 
trees and vegetables. The Newtown pippin is a great sufferer ; some- 
times its blossoms are destroyed, or if these escape, perhaps so many 
leaves are ruined that not enough are left to furnish sap for the proper 
maturity of the fruit, and the apple is small and of poor flavor. I know 
one very large and fine orchard in Westchester county which has been 
ruined in this manner. Nor is this a solitary case ; hundreds of orchards 
all along the North River have been more or less injured. I am aware 
that I shall raise something of a storm in places where brick making is a 
business. But after so long studying upon the evil, I do not speak at 
random. And further, I have something here to corroborate my state- 
ments. [Dr. Underbill exhibited several branches of forest and fruit 
trees which had been touched by these gases, corresponding in appear- 
ance to his description.] After this injury by the noxious gases, the plant- 
louse and other insects are more than usually active, and often complete 
the destruction of the foliage. Where the gas falls upon the leaves of the 
hickory, it sometimes cuts a hole through the leaf. Pine is quickly de. 
stroyed by it, the whole tree being effectually killed. In fact, this dele- 
terious gas injures almost everything in the vegetable kingdom, and an 
efficient and immediate remedy is most anxiously desired. 

The subject was, on motion, committed to Messrs. Ellsworth, Under- 
bill, Brink, Haight and Darrach, who will report to the Farmers' Club. 

The next business (diseases of potatoes) was taken up, and after some 
brief remarks from Mr. Ellsworth, of Conn., it was laid on the table for 
want of time to treat it at length. 

The culture of silk then came up, and on motion, Messrs. Van Epps, 
Hyde, Summy and Byram, were appointed a committee to report at the 
next meeting. 

Some conversation on silk, and in regard to a place for the next meet- 
ing was held, and it was 

Resolved, That when we adjourn, we adjourn to meet at the Repository 
of the American Institute in the Park, on Friday, at 10 o'clock, A.M. 

The 7th subject (culture of native grapes) then came up, and, 



17 

On motion, it was referred to Messrs. Underbill, Meigs and Hall, to 
report at the next meeting. 

The president then read a letter from S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, L. I., 
recommending the establishment of a botanical garden in Florida, for the 
acclimation of tropical trees and plants, domesticating of valuable exotics, 
&c. 

Gen. Dearborn gave a brief history of the experiment of a botanic 
garden made by Dr. Perrine in Florida, during the Seminole war ; spoke 
briefly of the duty government owes to the people to advance with all 
reasonable means such philanthropic objects ; of intelligence as the surest 
basis of freedom ; complimented the Parsons family on their stability and 
intelligence, &c., &c. 

The subject was finally referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs. 
S. B. Parsons, H. A. S. Dearborn, R. L. Pell, Rev. R. R. Gurley, and 
William Valk, to report at next meeting. 

On motion, it was 

Resolved, That the American Institute be requested to renew their 
application to the legislature of this state for a grant to establish an agri- 
cultural college and experimental farm somewhere in the vicinity of New 
York. 

After considerable desultory conversation, Messrs. Wakeman, Darrach 
and Chandler were appointed 9, committee to carry into effect the foregoing 
resolution. 

There being no further business offered, 

On motion, the Convention adjourned, to meet at the Repository of the 
American Institute on Friday, at 10 A.M. 



Friday, October 16, 1846. 
Third Day. 

The Convention met at the Repository of the Institute in the Park, 
pursuant to adjournment, at 10 o'clock, A.M. 

H. A. S. Dearborn, President, called the meeting to order, and D. T. 
Brown, Secretary, read the minutes of the previous session, which were 
adopted. 

Reports of committees being in order, 

Gen. Dearborn, from the committee to whom was referred the subject 
of a botanic garden in Florida," read the following report : 

Report of the Committee on the establishment of a Botanic Garden in 
Florida. 

The committee to whom was referred the communication ofS. B. Par- 
sons, of Flushin<T, on the " FiStablishmont of a i)otanic gardon in Florida, 
for the acclimation of foreitrn trees and plants valuable for their products, 
or for ornament," respectfully submit the following report : 

The great advantages to the whole Union which may be derived from 
the introduction and culture of the plants of the tropics, and of the tem- 
perate zones, not indigenous to the United States, which may be rendered 
subservient to the interests of the mechanical and manufiictiirijig industry 
of the country, and increase the variety and value of our exports, as well 
as augment the number and species of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
and herbaceous plants, by the establishment of an EXPERIMENTAL 

8 



18 

GARDEN in the southern extremity of the United Slates, is a subject 
worthy the serious consideration of every citizen, and of the state and 
general governments. 

Thus far the cultivators of the soil have been indebted to individual 
enterprise and liberality for all the vegetable productions which have 
been introduced from foreign countries, previous to the return of the ex- 
ploring expedition, so well conducted by Captain Wilkes ; and for all the 
experiments which have been made for the benefit of the numerous 
departments of native industry, the projectors have been indebted for aid 
more to individual effort than to legislative enactment. When it is con- 
sidered that this republic has been so long and efficiently established, 
that its population has been extended over a vast extent of territory, 
varied in its climate, products and soil, and that its position has become 
exalted among the powerful nations of the earth, it is to be presumed that 
the government will be emulous to afford to all classes of the people as 
effectual means of a vigorous and rapid progression in the development of 
all the arts of an exalted civilization, as have been secured to the subjects 
of the most enlightened empires of the Eastern continent. 

The sovereigns of France and England have long since founded ex- 
tensive botanical, experimental and acclimative gardens in their capitals, 
as well as in the southern extreme of their domains. 

The " Jardin des Plantes," of Paris, is justly celebrated ; the botani- 
cal garden at Montpelier, is of scarcely inferior value, and the horticul- 
tural enterprise and energy of the French is farther developing itself in 
the establishment of an extensive botanic garden in Algiers. From the 
reigns of Louis XlVth, and Peter the Great, agriculture, horticulture, 
and botany have especially claimed the attention of those monarchs. 
The royal gardens of the French, with those at St. Petersburg and on 
the shores of the Crimea, are celebrated as seminaries of instruction in 
most of the branches of natural history, and have been also eminently 
beneficial to the agricultural and mechanical labor, and to the commer- 
cial consequence of those powerful nations. In order to make them in- 
creasingly useful to commerce^ science, and the arts, intelligent natural- 
ists have been sent out in the public ships for the express purpose of col- 
lecting from every country, plants and seeds that might be advantageous- 
ly introduced into the field or garden culture of any part of their domin- 
ions. The British government, aware of the importance of many new 
products to the agricultural interests of the country, have for many years 
given standing orders to its consuls throughout the world, to send home 
all the plants and seeds, that may in the most distant degree promise to 
benefit the landed interest of their country. In that country legislative 
effort has been ably seconded by individual enterprise and interest. The 
nobles and inlelligent commoners, residing in the country upon their an- 
cestral estates, have either individually, or as members of botanical, hor- 
ticultural or agricultural societies, founded experimental gardens through- 
out England, Scotland and Ireland, for the laudable purpose of increasing 
the number, variety, value and beauty of their vegetable productions. 
So successful have been their commendable exertions, that plantations 
now exist in the vicinity of London as well as in Paris, whence are dis- 
seminated an infinite variety of valuable and ornamental trees and 
plants, collected from every soil and climate of the earth. 

If then England and other European powers are so eminently alive to 
the benefit likely to occur from the introduction of foreign trees and 



19 

plants, to their comparatively limited territories, how vast indeed would 
be the advantage of such establishments in the United States, where is to 
be found every variety of climate and soil, from Cape Cod to the Pacific, 
and from the orange groves of Florida to the frozen borders of Lake 
Superior ? 

By thus testing the character and hardihood of staple foreign products, 
the culture of some plant may possibly be introduced, whose product 
will be as valuable to our national industry as olives to the South of 
Europe, as coffee and indigo to the tropics, or as cotton to our own 
country. 

The trees and plants of America are so highly appreciated in Europe 
that no difficulty would be experienced in establishing a system of ex- 
changes with their experimental gardens. 

The favorable disposition of Congress to the foundation of a botanic 
garden in Florida, has been exhibited by the liberal grant of a large tract 
of land, with a sufficient sum of money to Dr. Perrine, several years 
since, whose efforts vi^ere frustrated by his sudden death at the hands of 
the Indians, just as he had commenced the transplanting of numerous 
tropical plants which he had procured from Central America and 
Mexico. 

The object of the government in affording encouragement to this un- 
dertaking, was thus suddenly frustrated, but it is to be confidently pre- 
sumed that an equally liberal patronage will be again extended, and in 
such an efficient manner as to render the realization of this important 
project as certain as it is desirable. Such an establishment, if situated 
on the St. John's River, on what must eventually be the principal inland 
route from New York to New Orleans, would be an attractive object to 
travelers ; would command the attention of scientific men of our own 
and foreign countries; and while it arrived at the great object of benefit 
to the domestic industry of our country, would exhibit to foreigners a con- 
vincing evidence that our republican government was fully alive to all 
that could beneficially affect the wealth and prosperity of its people. 

The committee would respectfully recommend the adoption of the fol- 
lowing resolutions : — 

1. Resolved, That the American Institute be requested to memorialize 
Congress to adopt such measures, as may be deemed most expedient, for 
the establishment of a Botanical and Experimental Garden in Flori- 
da, for the Acclimation of Tropical and other Foreign Trees and 
Plants, and for their distribution among the several states in such a man- 
ner as will best subserve the interests of each. 

2. Resolved, That the American Institute be also requested to cor- 
respond with the agricultural, horticultural and botanical societies 
throughout the United States, on this subject, and ask their vigorous co- 
operation, by transmitting memorials to Congress of a like import to that 
designated in the foregoing resolution. 

3. Resolved, That the Secretaries of this Convention be instructed to 
transmit a copy of this report to the Corresponding Secretary of the 
American Institute. 

H. A. S. DEARBORN, 
L. B. PARSONS, 
In behalf of the Committee. 



20 

Gen. D. made some remarks upon the prospective utility of such a 
garden, and invited Hon. C. F. Mercer, of Virginia, to address the Con- 
vention, saying that Gen. Mercer, had resided several years in Florida, 
was conversant with the experiment of Dr. Perrine, and at present culti- 
vated as an amateur an extensive garden in Virginia, of which common- 
wealth he was one of the ablest statesmen. 

Gen. Mercer rose and said, he was deeply indebted for the compliment 
of the honorable chairman. " I have resided in Florida," said he, " about 
six years in every variety of season, and can speak with some certainty 
of its soil and climate. Though not a constant resident, it has been my 
home. Florida in point of territory is the third state in the Union. It 
extends from 26 degrees to 31 degrees of North latitude, comprising every 
variety of soil, from the lightest and most barren sands to the richest 
hammocks, whose fertility is unparalleled. One peculiarity of this state 
is that its forests never lose their leaves ; which perennial verdure, com- 
bining with the influence of the Gulf Stream on one coast, and the ocean 
on both, preserves an equality of temperature unknown to inland regions. 
Frosts are seldom or never known to injure vegetation in Winter. Some 
instances have occurred near Tallahassee of injury to orange trees by 
late Spring frosts, owing to the proximity of the southern spur of the 
AUeghanies. Such a country, it will be seen, offers excellent advantages 
for ' trial farms,' as we in the South call them. Let the great empire 
state establish there her botanic garden or trial farm, and other states will 
soon imitate the good example ; and in this great southern garden almost 
all plants may be acclimated or naturalized. We have scarce a single 
fruit in its natural state. Our splendid apples of two pounds weight 
came by cultivation from the miserable little crab-apple. Our grapes, 
of a size and flavor most excellent, came by proper care from a like in- 
significant parent. These grapes, which in England forty years ago 
brought four shillings sterling per pound, are now sold for one shilling. 
Into this great botanical garden, and similar ones in other latitudes, we 
can introduce valuable native plants from all parts of the world. For 
instance, the wild rice, rye, and anniseed of Texas ; which state, wooded 
with deciduous trees, mostly an elevated prairie, lying exposed to the 
cold blasts from the Rocky Mountains, where a change in a few hours of 
40 degrees Fahrenheit often occurs — is highly unfavorable to vegetable 
perfection. Yet the botany of Texas is of the richest description. In 
regard to a grant of land, I think from the present state of the country, 
and opinions of our government, little or nothing can be expected from 
Congress. The influence of States Rights men, of which Mr. Polk is one, 
is too powerful. I think this garden would be cheerfully established by 
private subscription, if the minds of the people were turned to it. As I 
am about to settle in Kentucky, and shall have no personal interest in the 
matter, I may perhaps be allowed to advise. Land can be purchased at 
ten shillings per acre. Let a private subscription be opened (I will give 
$50 myself) for the purchase of a location, after which $1000 per annum 
will defray expenses. Send some of our best German immigrants there 
as cultivators; many of whom would be glad to go for the consideration 
of small farms of their own; to these add a superintendent, whose skill 
in botany and analagous sciences shall be his recommendation, and the 
experiment is complete. I have a word or two to say concerning the 
tariff, knowing that I stand before a tariff audience. After thirty years 
of public life, during which I steadily and constantly voted against a 



21 

tariff for protection, I have at last been converted to that doctrine, through 
the influence of observations made in a trip to New England, and tvo 
voyages to old England. I am glad my experience has induced me to 
change my views, and do not hesitate to proclaim my new convictions, 
having no interest for publication or concealment. I hold no public office, 
never accepted one while in Congress, and would not now accept any, 
not even the highest within the gift of government. Some time ago I was 
in Boston, and while I was preparing to leave, my friend Nathan Apple- 
ton invited me to visit Lowell. I had an indistinct prejudice against fac- 
tories and declined his request. He would not be put off, and after long 
persuasion I consented to go, for I could not well persist in refusing to please 
one of the principal men in a city where 1 had been received with such 
unbounded hospitality. When we arrived at Lowell, I v\'as astonished to 
see so clean and beautiful a city ; and still more so at the wonderful 
spectacle of 7000 girls — all pretty girls, too — neat, comfortable and happy. 
They all looked up smilingly as I passed along, but very suddenly looked 
down again, perhaps not much captivated by what they saw. When I 
entered the factories, I expected to have all my prejudices against manu- 
factures sustained by ocular demonstration ; but here I was again most 
wonderfully astonished to find things orderly and neat; so clean, too, that 
I verily believe I might have swept the floor with my handkerchief without 
giving it a stain. This remarkable state of things seemed a paradox to 
me, effectually annihilating my loMg cherished prejudices against home 
manufactures, and converting me to the doctrines of the American system. 
About forty years ago I was in England, and while there visited Man- 
chester, Stockport, Birmingham and other places, for the purpose of know- 
ing the state of society there. It was astonishing to me how human beings 
could exist in a condition so miserable — three or four families huddled 
into a damp basement, more like hogs than men. From comparisons 
made of the expense of manufacturing in England and America, I am 
confident that we can make goods here with less expense than they can 
in England. They have no water power — we have it unlimited ; they 
pay a great price for transporting coal to their factories — we scarcely 
anything ; their primum molile is steam — ours water; their laborers are 
ignorant and wretched — ours enlightened and happy; their markets are 
abroad — ours at home. I therefore conclude that a moderate protection 
to our manufactures will soon establish them on a basis which will be too 
firm for overthrow by casual chances. I do not consider it always true 
that every one is the best judge of the manner in which he should employ 
his capital and labor, as those affirm who cry out against all laws restrict- 
ing and regulating trade. The great fault of our government is not in 
the enactment of tariffs and revenue laws, but in the facility with which 
these measures are changed. Perhaps I, who so lately changed my views, 
ought not to talk of instability ; but in sixty years of active life, one finds 
many opportunities for change, if not so many for improved opinions. 
All are familiar with the change of Daniel Webster on the tariff, and of 
Henry Clay on the national bank, and no one presumes that other than 
honest convictions prompted tliese great men to reverse their judgments. 
The very first memorial presented to Congress in favor of protection t^ 
our manufactures came from Charleston, S. C, and was supported by Mr. 
Calhoun. In the unsettled times of Jefferson and Madison, most of our 
southern men were in favor of establishing domestic manufactures. Then 
we had embargoes and prohibitions, and double duties during the war. 



93 

At its close we went back to a comparatively low tariff, and Monroe had 
to borrow money to pay government pensioners. The injustice of these 
frequent changes is manifest. No matter how wise or theoretically good 
measures of this kind may be — no matter how great an improvement on 
former laws — if they are often and unexpectedly changed, their effects 
are injurious ; they induce fickleness of purpose, and scepticism among 
the people — faith in the government is destroyed, and all is doubt and 
uncertainty. Suppose, in the great operations of Nature, such changes 
should occur; the farmer going forth to plant his Spring grain suddenly 
finds it to be October instead of April — Michaelmas night instead of May- 
day — how would his faith be shaken in the Supreme Ruler ! Such un- 
certainty in regard to business our changing government is continually 
producing, and this instability is the greatest evil of our democratic 
system. The injustice of those frequent changes, crushing as they do 
many young branches of enterprising industry, is too apparent to need 
elucidation. 

After some farther observations upon the opinions of Southern men, 
&c., and excusing his unstudied and discursive remarks. Gen. Mercer 
sat down, amid hearty applause. 

The question on the adoption of the report was then put and car- 
ried. 

Mr. Meigs remarked that in looking over the proceedings of the Royal 
Society at Paris, he observed that there had been quite a war of words 
on this subject of acclimating plants, some contending that it was alto- 
gether impracticable, mentioning the potato, which ihey had possessed 
nearly three hundred years, as a witness ; others considering acclimation 
perfectly natural and easy. The potato being an annual plant can be no 
proper proof for or against acclimation. Mr. Meigs thought acclimation 
easy, and hoped to see it tried. Many plants, we know, will change their 
appearance and character by a change of climate. 

Col. Clark observed that plants often undergo a material change by 
transplanting, and mentioned the castor bean, a native of the West In- 
dies, which on being transplanted to this climate greatly changes its period 
of maturity. While up, he would remark that the injury to vegetation, 
by gases arising from brick kilns was, he thought, produced by excess of 
sulphate of alumina in the clay rather than gases from the coal used. 
Some clay contains this sulphate in so large quantities that alum has been 
obtained from it. The gases produced by burning this aluminous clay 
deprive the atmosphere of moisture and, of course, annihilates one of the 
greatest supporters of vegetation. The affinity of sulphurous acid gas, 
for moisture is very great, and its effects upon vegetation proportionably 
injurious. 

Gen. Dearborn, in regard to acclimation, said that he had picked ripe 
balls of cotton from plants in his garden, in Massachusetts, though this 
valuable plant is acclimated only as far North as the southern part of 
Virginia. Sugar cane is a tropic plant, and in the torrid zone it ripens 
full to the very top the saccharine matter. It has been acclimated in 
Louisiana so that they get three or four feet of saccharine matter, if the 
crop be secured before frost. I doubt not there are in tropical and boreal 
climates many plants which may be easily and profitably acclimated in 
our country. We cannot expect any very important new discoveries in 
the animal and mineral kingdoms ; we are intimately acquainted with 
land animals and with minerals ; aquatic regions can at best yield us lit- 



23 

tie else than oil ; but so extensive and important is the vegetable kingdom, 
that if all animals (man excepted) were destroyed, we should have an 
abundance left for our sustenance. We know that many of our valuable 
plants are natives of far distant regions ; for instance, the mulberry, 
which was originally a native of a small province in Southern India ; 
thence it came up the Persian Gulf, through Palmyra, (Solomon's fa- 
mous Tadmor in the Desert,) passed ruined Babylon and Nineveh, spread 
over luxurious Persia, came along the iEgean and Mediterranean, and 
finally reached Rome. A wandering monk, whose pilgrimage had been 
in the East, brought to Constantinople, in the top of his staff, a few seeds 
of the mulberry and eggs of the silk worm where (in Europe) they were 
first planted. Thence came they to Italy and France. Now look at the 
immense value of the silk business in those countries. See our valuable 
animal, the sheep, as it were, put out of countenance by that insignificant 
worm brought by the wandering monk from far Asia. This is an in- 
stance of acclimation. Theoretically I query thus : In India they have a 
tree and a worm which produces this valuable silk, this gorgeous velvet, 
this magnificent satin. Can I raise them in Massachusetts ? Undoubt- 
edly no, is the response ! But they and other valuable products of the 
opposite zones, may gradually be taught to grow in our climate. This 
experimental garden we must have; and if we move energetically in the 
matter, we can have it, we will have it. 

Mr. Meigs mentioned, as a singular fact, that the island of Japan will 
not produce a potato. He said that in Algeria, the French government 
have an experimental garden in successful operation, in which one may 
find torrid and frigid plants side by side, a medley of the vegetable king- 
dom from all parts of the world. 

Gen. Mercer said we must not expect too rapid progress in acclimating 
plants. There is great afiinity between the vegetable and animal king- 
doms ; and if the latter, negroes have been a hundred and fifty years in 
this country, yet they are not so well acclimated but that they generally 
feel and thrive better when transported to the burning climate of Africa. 
The first magnolia grandiflora he ever saw in Virginia was in General 
Washington's garden. Now they are plenty in Philadelphia, and even 
farther North. He had planted the soft-shelled almond in Florida, and 
was of opinion that it would do well, and might supersede the imported 
article. Plants generally have a uniform temperature at all hours, as 
he had demonstrated some years ago, by placing the bulb of a thermom- 
eter in a tree. This equal temperature tended to equalize heat and cold 
in timbered countries, as is evident from the sudden changes in places 
destitute of trees. 

General Dearborn having, in course of his remarks, alluded to his cor- 
respondence on the subject of a botanical garden in Florida, was re- 
quested by a committee of the Institute to furnish the same for publica- 
tion, in connection with the report of the proceedings of this Convention. 
He kindly complied, and the letters are inserted. 

Hawthokn Cottage, ) 

Roxhiry, Decemhcr, 1846. \ 
My Dear Sir : — 

I enclose the copy of a letter from Professor Wurdemann, an emi- 
nent phvsician of South Carolina, to General D. D. Clinch, of Georgia, 



m 

in relation to the establishnnent of a botanical garden in Florida, which 
was transmitted to me by Doctor A. Mitchell of Portland, Maine, from 
the belief that I would be gratified to learn the views of a scientific gen- 
tleman of such distinction, so exactly quadrate with those entertained 
by the American Institute, upon a subject that claimed its special atten- 
tion, during the last exhibition of the products of ihe earth and mechani- 
cal industry. 

From the extensive information which Dr. Wurdemann possesses of 
the extreme southern region of our country, great confidence may be 
placed in his statements, as to the climate of Florida, and the advantages 
which would be derived, from the location of a garden of acclimation in 
that state. 

Dr. Mitchell is entitled to the highest respect for the commendable and 
zealous efforts he has made to investigate the various departments of our 
natural history. Within the past six or eight years he has collected spe- 
cimens of most of the birds of New England, and many of the quadrupeds, 
as well as of other animals, and has prepared them in a very perfect 
manner for insuring their preservation. I have never seen more beauti- 
ful illustrations of the very different art of securing examples against 
that decay to which such precious acquisitions are liable. 

He passed the last Winter in the North, for the express purpose of 
making additions to his valuable cabinet of ornithology, and was so suc- 
cessful as to have procured numerous specimens which were set up in 
the best manner, and brought safely to Portland. 

It was during his absence, and while making explorations on the River 
St. Mary, that the idea occurred to him, of the establishment of a garden 
in eastern Florida, and I received several letters from him on that 
subject, before and after his return. 

You will recollect, that during the session of the Convention of far- 
mers and horticulturists, in October, I referred to the valuable service;? 
which Doctor Mitchell had rendered to his country, as a naturalist, and 
the measures he had taken, as well as those which he considered it im- 
portant should be adopted by the government and the patriotic cultivators 
of the soil throughout the Union, for the foundation of a garden of ac- 
climation ; and it is also proper to state that he has corresponded with a 
number of the most intelligent gentlemen in several of the southern states, 
on this very interesting and important subject, and has received assur- 
ances of their cordial co-operation. General Clinch, who commanded 
our military forces in Florida, for a number of years, and now resides in 
Georgia, not only fully approves of the plan, but is confident of 
the immense advantages which will result from its being carried into effect. 

General Clinch is one of those intelligent, liberal, and warm-hearted 
patriots, who looks far into the future, and has a sanguine belief in the 
grand destinies of the United States, and is ever ready to aid in promo^ 
ting the prosperity of his country. 

Confident that the American Institute will cheerfully and efficiently use 
its influence in a manner that will merit the gratitude of the present and 
future generations, I shall await the result of the efforts it has determin- 
ed to make, in the full belief that they will be crowned with success. 
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

H. A. S. DEARBORN. 
T. B. Wakeman, Esq., Corresponding Secretary 

of ihe American Institute of New York. 



25 

LETTER OF DR. WURDEMANN TO GENERAL CLINCH. 

Clarksvillb, Georgia, > 
September 19th, 1816. J 
Gen. D. D. Clinch, 

Dear Sir : — The intention of forming the company referred to by your 
correspondent. Dr. A. Mitchell, for establishing a botanical garden in 
Florida, for the purpose of propagating tropical plants, is one which 
should meet the support not only of the state and general government, 
but also of every lover of natural history in our whole country. Its es- 
tablishment is certainly feasible, and it could moreover be rendered very 
profitable to those engaged in it, by making it a nursery, from which the 
farmers of Florida could obtain a supply of tropical plants and trees ; and 
thus convert their uncultivated wilds into gardens, as luxuriant and beau- 
tiful as those which now form the chief charm of the West India Islands — 
besides the market which the numerous gardens and hot-houses would 
present in our larger cities of the North and South. 

By selecting a suitable site for a boarding-house near the establishment, 
it would offer a pleasant retreat for invalids during the Winter. The 
journey to the West Indies is too dangerous and tedious, and the privations 
and expenses to which they are subjected are too great ever to render them 
places of general resort for that class of travelers. There are also other 
objections of still greater weight — the insalubrity of the climate of most 
of the accessible islands, and too great a heat of their Winter months. 
After a residence of six consecutive winters under the tropics, I have been 
able to select only one, and that one not entirely free from objections. 
The smaller islands, as Santa Cruz, Curacoa, Key West, and Indian 
Keys, do not afford shelter from the pernicious atmosphere that ever hangs 
along the borders of the sea. Could a salubrious situation be selected in 
Florida, far enough inland to be out of the influence of that atmosphere, 
while its own climate being dry, I do not hesitate to predict, that with 
suitable accommodations for invalids, they would flock to it from all parts 
of our widely extended country. 

The high, sandy, pine regions of the state about, or not much below the 
latitude of St. Augustine, must present many proper sites for a hotel. 
From my own experience and observation, 1 am inclined to believe that 
a region occasionally visited with cold sufficient to require woolen cloth- 
ing is the best suited, by its bracing effects, for consumption especially. 
The heat in one more southern is too debilitating, and they are moreover 
not entirely free from malaria, even during Winter. 

I earnestly hope that the plan proposed, to form a company referred to 
by Dr. Mitchell, will meet with encouragement, and that they will not 
wait for the support of the general government in the commencement. 
Under one or two efficient agents, a profitable investment would be made, 
and success would be certain. 



am, dear sir, very respectfully 
Your obedient st 



obedient servant, 
H. WURDEMANN. 

While the subject of making a grant of land in Florida to Dr. Perrine, 
for the purpose of acclimating tropical plants, was under consideration in 
Congress, in 1838, the following letters from General H. A. S. Dearborn, 

4 



26 

of Massachuettss, on that subject, to the Hon. Levi Lincoln and Dr. Per- 
rine, were published in the National Intelligencer ; 

Hawthorn Cottage, Roxbury, April 17, 1838. 

My Bear Sir-^l am very much obliged to you for the report of the 
agricultural committee on the memorial of Dr. Perrine, in relation to the 
culture of tropical plants in Florida, which you were so kind as to send 
me. I have read it with the deepest interest, instruction and pleasure j 
and so favorable do I think of his honorable and patriotic enterprise, that 
I most sincerely hope Congress will cheerfully and promptly grant his 
request, and aid him in the most liberal manner. 

The introduction of a single plant or seed has, in all ages and nations, 
frequently produced the most important and valuable results. The 
mighty influence on the agricultural industry and the general prosperity 
of empires, which the naturalization and culture of the cereal grains, the 
olive, vine, white mulberry for the food of the silk worm, the sugar cane, 
coflfee plant, cotton, potato, rice and tobacco, have produced, is well 
known, and I have no doubt that several of the plants which Dr. Perrine has 
now growing at Cape Florida and Indian Key may possibly become staple 
articles of cultivation in several of the most southern states. Besides, I 
do not think so meanly of the capabilities of the soil of Florida as most 
people. I well remember that Louisiana was called a mere alligator 
swamp, when first so cheaply acquired. The single fact that East 
Florida is the only portion of the union where many of the most precious 
of the tropical plants can be acclimated, will at no very distant period bring 
every acre of land into great demand for tillage. It will be drained, 
diked, embanked, and converted into various kinds of plantations. What 
was Holland before its dikes and canals were constructed ?* 

What has made the cotton and sugar estates of lower Louisiana so 
prolific, but the levees for restraining the overflowings of the Mississippi ? 
What the rice field§ of South Carolina and Georgia ? Human genius 
and indomitable industry, where there is a cheering prospect of reward, 
will triumph over all natural physical difficulties. We know the knights 
of Malta made fertile gardens on the barren rocks of that island, cele- 
brated for their chivalrous deeds and as the site of Paul's shipwreck, by 
pounding yp the loose and scattered stones which covered its bleak surface, 
and importing soil from Sicily to mix with their dust. The Mexicans had 
floating gardens in Lake Tezcuco, where their capital city was established. 
The Chinese have long resorted to the same means of rearing culinary 
and other plants, and not an inch of soil, even though situated amidst the 
precipitous cliffs of the mountains, is untilled, so great is the demand for 
vegetable products by the thronged population of the Celestial Empire. 
The lemon and orange groves of Portugal and Sicily, are established and 
maintained by an expensive and laborious system of artificial fountains 
and channels of irrigation. With us land is so abundant, in comparison 

* The governirjent of Holland is now engaged in draining Harlem Lake, which covers an 
area of 45,000 acres, or over 70 square miles, to the depth of thirteen feet below low 
water, in the Zuyder Zee, for the purpose of securing Amsterdam and Leyden, as well as 
large region of farms and villages, from inundation, and to convert the bed of the lake 
into tillage land. To accomplish this grand object, three enormous steam engines are 
employed, which work eleven pumps each, which are C3 inches in diameter, that discharge 
2,500,000 tons of water per 24 hours. These engines, it has been calculated, will drain 
the lake in 400 days, at an expense of 580,000 dollars. The first engine was completed 



27 

With the population, that we have no just conception of its value, as esti. 
mated in those portions of the globe, where the inhabitants are so numer- 
ous that a few roods are considered an estate so ample that the fortunate 
proprietor is accounted an independent man. 

But even in the vast extent of the United States, with the millions of 
acres still in a state of nature, how many thousands are now cuhivated, 
which, a few generations since, aye, in our day, were deenrled worthless ? 
In England, what extensive morasses have been reclaimed and added to 
the domain of agriculture, while the heath-covered mountains of Wales 
and Scotland are rapidly being planted with magnificent forests, not for 
embellishment merely, but as inexhaustible sources of wealth. The old 
Duke of Athol planted a forest on his estate in Perthshire of 15,593 acres, 
which contained 27,431,600 young trees when he died ; and his successor 
set out 6,500 acres of poor mountain land solely with larches. The land 
was not worth over twenty-two cents rent per acre ; and now with the 
timber on it is valued at 32,500,000 dollars. 

The citizens of this country have, here and there, selected the most 
fertile and eligible locations, and call most of the immense remainder of 
the land either refuse or worthless. Time and the increase of popula- 
tion will show that nearly the whole will become more valuable than even 
what is now considered the most choice, Embankments like those in the 
vicinity of New Orleans will be extended on each bank of the Mississippi, 
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Falls of St. Anthony. 

If but one of the most valuable of the two hundred plants introduced 
by Dr. Perrine, can be successfully cultivated, all Florida will be drained 
and become luxuriant fields and gardens, and be embellished by canals, 
rivers, bays, harbors and beautiful lakes. It will be the Cuba of this 
nation. 

I know your liberal disposition and enlightened and enlarged views in 
relation to subjects connected with agriculture, and all the great branches 
of national industry, and am confident you will be disposed to do what is 
expedient on this occasion. 

Dr. Perrine, like most men of science and ardent patriotism, has devoted 
much time and expended his resources for a great purpose, is sanguine 
in the beneficial results to the republic, and the hope of future remunera- 
tion from his own practical exertions ; and it is very desirable that he 
should not be left, as is too often the case, to lament his labors and to 
find that others hereafter reap the fruits of his meritorious enterprise, 
without having endured any of the toils, or incurred any of the expenses 
of a first experiment. Congress must be to him as munificent as would 
have been Henry IV. of France, or Napoleon, to render his indefatigable 
researches and accumulated intelligence upon the subjects he has pre- 
sented to the consideration of the government useful and honorable to 
himself and the country. 

With assurances of the highest respect and esteem, 

Yoilr obedient servant, 

H. A. S. DEARBORN. 

Hon. Levi Lincoln, Member of Congress for Massachusetts. 

Hawthorn Cottage, Roxhury, June 20, 1838. 
Dear Sir — Your two letters and the samples of the foliaceous fibres of 
the precious tropical plants, which you are desirous of introducing into 
Florida, have been received. I am extremely obliged to you for this kind 



28 

attention, and very happy to learn that the letter to my estimable friend, 
Governor Lincoln, afforded you any satisfaction. It was but tlie expres- 
sion of my gratitude for the highly commendable efforts you v/ere making 
to subserve the interests of your countr)-, by furnishing a new source to 
the agricultural and manufacturing industry of the United States ; for 
every raw material produced, even in the extreme South, is a direct 
benefit to the mechanical and commercial enterprise of the North. I am 
fully sensible of the difficulties you have been compelled to encounter, in 
your laudable endeavors, and how laborious and discouraging is the posi- 
tion of a gentleman who has a favorite and important object to accomplish, 
which requires the generous co-operation of the national government, and 
especially if it is of a novel character. The momentous subjects before 
Congress, growing out of our domestic and foreign relations, have been 
of such an all-engrossing character, as to require immediate action, and 
have not left the members at leisure to attend to less pressing matters. 
Besides, there are comparatively but so few persons who take an interest 
in political economy, scientific inquiries, or any measure which requires 
much research, that an utter indifference to them too generally exists in 
the whole community. And it is not until more complete and exact 
knowledge is obtained, that the same zeal and promptness of action is 
induced, as when the end to be obtained is obvious, and universally ap- 
proved, from the evident advantages which are to follow. 

Be not discouraged, therefore, for fads and truths are mighty in their 
operations and will ultimately triumph over all impediments. Columbus 
was for years, a petitioner to no less than three sovereigns, and on the 
point of appealing to the bounty and energy of a fourth, before his gigan- 
tic conception of the existence of a " New World " was credited and 
his voyage of discovery undertaken. Newton's theory of gravitation 
was not adopted even by the Academicians of France, until forty years 
after the publication of his Principia ; and Galileo was obliged to confess 
before the assembled authorities of the Romish church, " that the earth 
did not turn round on its axis." Still that remarkable philosopher did not 
despair, but as he arose from his humbled position, and brushed the dust 
from his knees, whispered to a friend, " nevertheless the earth does re- 
volve ;" and his belief has become universal, although the pontificial de- 
cree, denouncing it as a heresy, remains unappealed. 

The value and importance of the experiment you contemplate making 
is so great to the whole republic, that it is impossible that it shall not be 
undertaken, when the subject shall be fully understood, in all its vast 
scope and bearing, and by our almost unanimous voice. The citizens of 
the United States are at times, difficult to be excited, but when the course 
is made clear and the anticipated result of momentous import, they evince 
an ardor and an energy which sweeps like a flood every obstacle, and 
there is no relaxation, until the work has been consummated. How long 
were roads, canals, and rail. ways urged upon the attention of the state 
and national legislatures before they obtained any favorable considera- 
tion 1 And, at last, indignant at the slow movements and parsimonious 
policy of their governments, the people came forth in their strength ; and 
behold the glorious consequences. Prove that a measure is based on trutliy 
and will be useful, and it will be adopted. Let the pioneer of improve- 
ment enlighten the route he has taken with the flame of intelligence, and 
his followers will be as numerous as the object to be accomplished de- 
mands. 



29 

One of the kind of fibres you sent me, that of the Forest Pine Apple, 
Bromelia pita, is of a remarkable glossy and delicate character, and I 
should think would make a beautiful and excellent thread, as the 
most perfectly prepared flax, or the filaments of the silk-worm. 

The value of the culture of the Agave Sisalana, from which is obtained 
the Sisal hemp of commerce, may be conceived from the following facts, 
which I have taken some pains to ascertain, since the receipt of vour 
first letter, as it is a substitute for the Manilla hemp which is the fibre 
of the petiole, of a species of Banana, cultivated in the Pliilippine 
Islands. 

Cordage made of Manilla hemp is now preferred for the running rig- 
ging and hausersof the vessels in the fisheries, coasting and foreign trade, 
as well as all the steam-boats on the lakes and Western waters ; it being 
as durable as hempen cordage and much lighter, the weight being for 
ropes of like size and length nearly as eight to ten. The whalemen, in 
the five hundred ships engaged in that adventurous navigation, have 
given it a thorough trial, and from its bouyancy it is universally used for 
their long tow-lines employed in the perilous capture of the leviathans of 
the deep. 

All the Sisal hemp which can be procured is manufactured, and makes 
quite as good cordage for most purposes, as the Manilla ; but the fibre not 
being quite as flexible — owing, probably, to the less perfect manner of pre- 
pairing it, the price is lower. For the last three years, the Manilla hemp 
has been from 7 to 7 1-3 cents per pound, and Sisal from 6 to 6 1-2 
and 7. 

The quantity of Manilla hemp imported into the United States, during 
the last year, is estimated by a manufacturer of cordage, who lives in this 
town, at 28,000 bales, each weighing 270 pounds ; the cost of which, at 
7 1-2 cents, amounts to $567,000. 

The above mentioned manufacturer has invented machinery, which he 
has in full operation, for spinning Manilla hemp ; and has also made cor- 
dage from the Sisal with the same apparatus. There is another large fac- 
tory in Boston, in which the process of spinning was invented by Professor 
Treadwell, of Harvard University. The latter works are driven by 
water, and the former by steam power. 

There are two rope-walks in this town which manufactured into cor- 



dage of Manilla hemp 

One in Boston .... 

Five in Charlestown and Cambridge 

Five in Salem and Marblehead 

One in Windham 

Two in Plymouth 



3,000 bales. 
1,200 « 
1,000 « 
3,200 « 
200 " 
1,400 " 

10,000 bales. 



In the other New England States . . . 5,000 bales. 

In New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other places, 1 3,000 " 

Total quantity in the United States, 28,000 bales. 

With the best wishes for your success, in obtaining the generous pa- 



30 

tronage of Congress, and for your prosperous prosecution of an experi- 
ment in Florida, I olfer assurances of my unfeigned respect. 

Your most obedient servant, 

H. A. S. DEARBORN. 
Doctor Henry Perrine. 

The American Institute having seriously considered the importance of 
the experiment which Doctor Perrine was anxious to make, on the 
naturalization of tropical plants, adopted the following resolution, in 
1838. 

Resolved, That the American Institute of the city of New York, have 
noticed with great interest and pleasure, the zealous, unprecedented, 
persevering efforts of their countryman, Dr. Henry Perrine, late United 
States consul at Campeachy, to engage the attention of our government, 
to encourage the acclimation and culture of tropical plants in this coun- 
try ; and feeling strongly impressed with the great importance of his en- 
terprise, would respectfully, but earnestly recommend the same to the 
special consideration and patronage of Congress, and to the favorable no- 
tice of their fellow citizens engaged in agricultural pursuits, particularly 
in the southern portions of our country. 

Dr. Underhill, in relation to gases from brick-yards, said, that it was 
not satisfactorily determined whether the injury to vegetation was pro- 
duced by sulphuretted hydrogen and the other gases from coal, or sulphur- 
ous acid gas. The gas which does the injury is evidently light, from the 
distance its effects are observed. With a moderate breeze the gas will 
travel for miles from the kilns in the course of a few hours. All along 
the river, from New York to Albany its effects are discernible. He had 
carefully observed its action for six years, desiring to learn some remedy 
for the evil, and what he said of the extent and appearance of the injury 
he founded upon actual observation. Some remedy must soon be applied, 
or many of our best orchards and ornamental trees will be destroyed. 
Wherever the evil lies, in the coal or the clay, or in both, we desire 
only to get at the truth, and then we hope to find the much desired 
remedy. 

Col. Clarke stated that sulphurous acid gas, when disengaged, com- 
bined with about TOOltimes its volume of water. He did not know how far 
the wind might carry it. It was evident, in cities, that the carbonic acid 
gas and carbonic oxide, disengaged by thousands of coal fires, is not in- 
iurious to vegetation. Sulphurous acid gas is Very insidious and injurious.- 
"Sulphate of alumina exists in all clay ; in some near Baltimore to: 
such an extent that alum is made from it by the simple addition of 
potash. 

Mr. Wakeman thought this discussion out of order, inasmuch as the 
subject was in the hands of a committee, from whom no report had yet 
been received. 

Mr. Van Wyck advised the committee to proceed with caution in the 
premises. In any event it was an attack upon the brick makers. If 
the premises proved false, the mater would be a blot on the reputa- 
tion of the committee and the Institute ; if true, the farmers would 
set up a cry against brick makers, and that also would react on the In- 
stitute. 

Mr. Ellsworth rose to call to order. It was a very delicate question, 



31 

and he hoped no debate would be allowed anterior to the report, if the com- 
mittee took two years to deliberate. 

Dr. Underbill said, we should be very cautious ; but when we knew 
we had got hold of the truth we should speak out, let who will be 
oifended. 

After a few suggestions by Messrs. Van Wyck, Underbill and Ells- 
worth, 

Mr. Wakeman moved that Professor Renwick, of Columbia College, 
and Dr. Chilton, both of this city, be added to the committee on this sub- 
ject, which motion prevailed. 

Mr. Wakeman, from the committee on the subject of an Agricultural 
College, then read the following 

REPORT, 

Of the committee on the estalUshment of an Agricultural College. 

The committee appointed on Tuesday to draft a resolution, expressive 
of the views of the Convention, on the suggestion concerning the estab- 
lishment of an Agricultural College and Pattern Farm, in or near the city 
of New York, beg leave to report : 

Whereas, agricultural science is in its nature as extensive as life, and 
embraces the actions of the ponderable and imponderable elements and 
the proximate principles of all living things, and the reciprocal influences 
of form and constituence ; and whereas, this science involves the investi- 
gations of these most intricate and delicate principles and actions, which 
investigations require such means and abilities as place them be- 
yond the compass of private citizens. And whereas, the commer- 
cial relations of the United States and the necessary immediate con- 
nection of eight-tenths of our population with rural pursuits, and the con- 
sequent power, virtue and wealth of the nation, require the greatest agri- 
cultural results at the least expense, which can only be accomplished by 
personal union of science and practical skill. And whereas, agricultur- 
al science is in its infancy, and many of its leading principles just now 
evolving, and further, is as yet unembodied — therefore 

Resolved, Agriculture requires an institution with all necessary ap- 
pliances, for the cultivation and diffusion of its science, and its application 
to all branches of rural industry. 

Resolved, The American Institute be and hereby is requested and 
urged to prosecute with zeal and perseverance the establishment of such 
an institution, the reasons for which are contained in the following memo- 
rial, addressed to the state legislature at its last session, to which the com- 
mittee beg leave to refer : 

To THE Honorable Legislature of the State of New York. 

The Farmers' Club of the American Institute respectfully petition your 
Honorable body for the establishment near the city of New York, of an 
Agricultural College and Experimental Farm. 

This application is caused by the growth of a new sentiment among 
men. They have been habituated for ages to see a very small class of 
the community selected for education in colleges, acquiring literature 
and science — thence filling the learned professions and influencing legis- 
lation. This has been deemed a great good because it secured the exis» 



32 

tence of learning at least if it did not render it sufficiently general among 
men. But a new sentiment exists and grows among all civilized men. 
That sentiment is, that the useful arts, especially above all things, 
agriculture, must be elevated to their highest possible rank. That all 
our learning must be now connected closely with these useful arts. That 
all the sciences of the colleges — the powers of commerce collecting 
from the whole world, must be brought to bear on the glorious fields of 
our country. That these great resources should be all united in the 
production of fertility where it is not, in the perfect culture of the staples 
which we already possess, and in the introduction of all those for which 
our country is adapted ; and what one is there of all the climates of our 
globe which may not find a fit location in this empire union, embracing 
all the best latitudes for vegetation ? 

We respectfully ask that an experiment may now be tried in this great 
state, of all those staples which can be found suitable to our own location ; 
so that New York city, the emporium of commerce, may, by her thousand 
ships and roads, concentrate the first college and trial farm for all vegeta- 
ble productions. 

We ask not for private advantage. The state can provide the ground, 
and that will not fail to increase in value. The state can watch the pro- 
gress of the experiment and arrest it if it should fail to answer the desired 
end. Having given by charter to the American Institute agriculture as 
one of its purposes, and looking at the course of the Institute during the 
last eighteen years in executing the purposes of its incorporation, we 
respectfully submit the reasonableness of the expectation that the Insti- 
tute would carry out, satisfactorily, the agricultural college and farm, if 
it was entrusted with the trial by your honorable body. It is firmly be- 
lieved by us that the college and farm can be put into operation by the 
grant of land and suitable accommodations ; and that it can be made to 
flourish and increase without other limits than those of the state of New 
York. 

We must teach our young men as much of learning as will place them 
on a footing with the educated man of old Europe, and at the same time 
fix in them a perfect knowledge of farming, and by their daily labor 
on the college farm, that habit of body, strength and health, with- 
out which all the book-learning in the world is but of light value. 

To an enlightened and patriotic legislature it is needless for us to 
urge any further reasons ; those reasons reach the very deepest founda- 
tions of our republic, and we well know that the legislature is imbued 
with them all. 

Resolved, The commercial relations of the city of New York with 
the whole world and all parts of our own country, recommend its neighbor- 
hood as a proper location, and the city and state of New York the proper 
source of public endowment. 

All which your committee respectfully submit. 

T. B. WAKEMAN, 
J. DARRACH. 

On motion, the report was accepted. 



33 

Mr. Van Epps, from the committee on the culture of silk, then read the 
following report : 

In reporting to this Convention on the subject of silk, your committee 
have been at a loss to decide in what aspect to present it, in order to 
secure for it the greatest advantage from the action of this body. 

Representing as we do almost every state in this Union, it is of the 
utmost importance that the subject be presented in such form as to secure 
a concert of effort when we shall have returned to our several states. 

The practical connection of your committee with the silk business, will 
naturally lead you to anticipate from us an accurate statement of the 
present extent and condition of this enterprise. 

It is with us a matter of regret that a branch of industry so evidently 
and intimately connected with our interests as a nation, and which, at the 
same time, has been so fully and satisfactorily tested in every latitude of 
our country, should advance so slowly, and elicit the energies of so few 
of our people. 

From a large number of communications to which your committee have 
had access, we collect the most flattering evidences of success in regard to 
the culture of silk, wherever it has been undertaken with system, and in 
accordance with the nature of this most delicate and particular little in- 
sect, the silk worm. 

Upon the bleakest highlands of Maine, among the hills of Vermont, 
throughout the valley of the Ohio, and the sunny regions of the extreme 
South, it has been alike successful — with only this ditference, that in the 
cooler regions of the North, the employment of artificial heat has been 
occasionally necessary, to counteract the influence of the chilly dews of 
the night, which would otherwise materially retard their growth, and 
weaken the constitution of the silk worm. 

Here, not more than six or eight weeks can be relied upon for feeding, 
while in some other sections the same number of months can be devoted 
to the business, with less labor, and augmented success. 

On the subject of the mulberry-tree, your committee would refer to 
Resolution No. 4 of the New England Silk Convention, as published in 
connection with the proceedings of this Convention. 

In regard to the manufacture of silk, we would only refer to the silk 
department of the " Great National Fair of the American Institute " now 
in progress at Castle Garden. 

We would advise every member of this Convention to go there and 
examine and handle those rich and elegant fabrics, honorable alike to the 
hands that wrought them, and the soil that produced the raw material 
from which they were fabricated. 

We will find there the cocoon, the reeled silk, and in almost every 
variety, satins, silks, and silk velvets ; not perhaps so well finished as some 
we may have seen from other countries, and far inferior to what we shall 
ere long produce, but nevertheless beautiful and serviceable, and such as 
any American citizen should feel proud to wear. 

Of the ultimate success of the silk culture, your committee entertain no 
doubt, but at the same time there are obstacles which have long borne 
heavily upon our progress, and which, unless obviated, must continue to 
embarrass us for many years to come, preventing our success, until hun- 
dreds of millions more of gold and silver are drained from our own 
resources to enrich those who oppress and degrade the unhappy operatives 

of other lands. 

8 



We wish to say emphatically that we believe no other country or people 
so well calculated to perfect the whole silk business as our own. 

The obstacles to which we refer are altogether artificial. 

They are, unwise legislation on the part of the general government, 
and the want of suitable encouragement from both rMlicnal and state au- 
thorities. 

Your committee would here adopt Resolutions No. 3, 5 and 6, of the 
New England Silk Convention, and offer the following additional : viz. 

Resolved, That we most earnestly urge upon the approaching Congress 
the importance of so correcting the duties upon both raw and manufactured 
silks, as to give such protection for us as to place us beyond the possibility 
of injury from foreign competition. 

Resolved, That the establishment by Congress of a national filature, 
nursery, plantation and cocoonery in or near the District of Columbia, 
under the superintendence of a competent and experienced person, where 
individuals can obtain all the information necessary for prosecuting the 
reeling of silk, the cultivation of the mulberry-tree, and the successful 
nurture of the silk worm, would be a measure of the utmost importance 
to every section of the Union, and calculated to advance the enterprise 
more than any other single instrumentality can do. 

Resolved, That we believe it the duty of the legislatures of the several 
states, eacli to offer immediately a liberal bounty for the production of co- 
coons ; and that we regret that the state of New York should have refused, 
in opposition to the memorials of a considerable portion of the people, to 
renew a bounty which has been fostering the business for six years past. 

Resolved, That we recommend to state and county agricultural colleges 
and institutes, the importance of connecting with their operations a de- 
partment for the culture of silk, under the direction of those qualified to 
give instructions in this branch of industry. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

A. C. Van Epps,1 

J:m-.1™w, h— '"- 

H. P. Byram, J 

NEW ENGLAND SILK CONVENTION. 

The Convention met at Northampton on Wednesday, August 19th, 
pursuant to a call by the officers of the last year. 

Mr. Daniel Stebbins of Northampton in the Chair, .1. W. Smith, Secretary. 

The President stated that the officers had deemed it expedient to call 
the Convention at an earlier day than usual, and had selected this as the 
place (Dr. D.'s cocoonery) in order to show the subject in the most prac- 
tical and imposing manner. Before them were the silk-worms feeding 
and spinning ; yonder a reel with some most beautiful silk just reeled 
from the cocoons, by Mr. A. C. Van Epps, of the New York filature, who 
with his brother have been here some time feeding a crop of Avorms, which 
have been carried through successfully, to the admiration and satisfaction 
of numerous citizens and strangers, who have from day to day visited 
them. In another part of the building might be seen an extensive and 
splendid exhibition of manufactured silk goods of a great variety; the 
handiwork of our own countrymen, and from raw material of our own 
production ; thus the subject presented itself in its beginning, continua- 
tion and completion, and certainly left no room for scepticism. 



35 

Then fjllowed the appointment of officers for the ensuinfr year viz 
Dr. Daniel Stebbins, President; J. W. Smith, Secretarj° ' 
A series of resolutions were then presented by Mr. Van Epps which 
after due discussion by the Convention, were unanimously adopted • viz* 
Resolved, That we regard the numerous applications for information in 
reference to the silk culture, which have been forwarded from various 
sections of the country, as certain indications of a general progress and 
that the accumulated cases of success represented to this Convention 
by communications and otherwise, furnish evidences for increased confi' 
dence in the congeniality of American soil and climate, the entire qualifi 
cation of our citizens for the production of this delicate and valuable 
fabric ,• and leave no room to doubt, that in due time it will become, what 
Its evident importance demands it should be, the leading staple of our 
country— furnishing with the raw material not only our own manufac- 
tures, but those also of France and England. Hence 

Resolved, That we esteem it a patriotic duty to urge forward the busi- 
ness by every means in our power, as connected with individual interests 
and the wealth of our common country. 

Resolved, That wo recommend the careful preservation and cuUivation 
of the mulberry trees now among us, and to increase them to a sufficient 
extent to supply a constantly increasing demand ; and that we ur^e upon 
every farmer the planting of at least one acre of trees, from the foliaae of 
which one or more crops of worms may annually be fed, without inter- 
fering with the ordinary pursuits of the farm. 

Resolved, That we learn with regret the loss of numerous orchards by 
frosts, the consequence of an improper selection of soil or the use of too 
feeble a variety of the mulberry— and hence would urge the necessity of 
high (or if low, well drained) locations, and the employment of those 
varieties of the mulberry which have been thoroughly tested and are 
known to endure our winters. The Canton, Brousa, Asiatic and Alpine 
are such. The Morus Multicaulis will thrive south of latitude 41 decrrees 
and may be profitably employed, but north of this is unsafe, excrprwith 
the greatest care, whereas the former will thrive and prove valuable in 
all parts of the country, both North and South. 

Resolved, That we view the change recently made by Congress in the 
duties on imported silks, as altogether misjudged, and calculated directly 
to throw additional embarrassments in our way, which wo are altofrcther 
unprepared to surmount ; and that unless a more judicious polfcy be 
adopted by the next Congress, the business generally must be immeasur. 
ably retarded, and in some of its branches utterly destroyed. 
_ Resolved, That we consider the practic ■ of family reeling productive of 
irregular and imperfect raw silk, and thus greatly intnrferincr with the 
after uses to which such silks may be devoted. Hence, we recommend the 
establishment of a regular filature system, furnishing a cash market for 
all the cocoons produced, as the only effectual remedy for this evil, and 
intimately and inseparably connected with the ultimate success of the 
enterprise. 

Resolved, That Dr. Stebbins of this place deserves the thanks of this 
Convention and the public generally for his unceasing exertions to secure 
and supply tiie country with the be,- 1 varieties of the mulberry-tree. 

Voted, That the President and Secretary be authorized to call the next 
Convention at such time and place as they may deem advisable; and that 
they also be retiuested to receive any communications that may be for. 



36 

warded to them, for the National Convention of farmers, gardeners and 
silk culturers, to be held in the city of New York, October 12th, in con- 
nection with the 19th Annual Fair of the American Institute, 

Voted, That they (the President and Secretary) be authorized to appoint 
one or more delegates to represent this Convention in New York, and to 
transmit by them any communications that may be forwarded to them for 
this purpose. 

Voted, that this Conrention do now adjourn. 

DANIEL STEBBINS, President. 

J. W. Smith, Secretary. 

On motion, the report was adopted, 

Mr. Van Epps then remarked — 

Now that this report has received the approval of this Convention, I 
wish to add a few brief suggestions, comprehending the subject of silk 
culture generally in the United States. Within the last few months I 
have spent some time in eight or ten of the most important states of the 
union, and have neglected no opportunity of acquainting myself with the 
extent and prospects of the silk business. These, with an extensive cor- 
respondence, and the facilities to which I have had access, enable me to 
judge somewhat accurately of the whole enterprise. 

As far as I can learn, the number of persons engaged in it, and the 
quantity of the raw material produced are about the same as during the 
last three or four years. In every state more or less is doing, attended 
by success corresponding exactly with the care and judgment by which 
it is conducted. The importance of the business is universally acknow- 
ledged, as also the congeniality of all the natural facilities of our country 
for its prosecution. None doubt that silk can be produced and manufac- 
tured here as well and better even than in China or France. This we 
have taken for granted in our report, and the Convention have acquiesced 
in the view. But still the business progresses slowly, if indeed at all. 

And loJiy is it ? 

This question covers the whole field before us, and notwithstanding it has 
already a thousand times been answered, I would have it reiterated in this 
hall, and placed conspicuously on the proceedings of this Convention, and 
read by the tens of thousands into whose hands our report shall be thrown. 

The silk cause in this country has been wholly without guardianship, 
an orphan, so to speak ; for no systematic action has ever been put forth 
by government for its benefit. 

I do not hesitate to say, that had Congress properly fostered or followed 
up the course Great Britain had commenced, we should this day have 
been independent of all other nations for this beautiful fabric, besides 
saving annually from twelve to fifteen millions of dollars to contribute to 
the comfort of our own people, and add to the wealth of the nation at 
large. What occasional encouragement has been extended by Congress 
or state legislatures, has been so trifling and uncertain., that they have 
failed to inspire confidence, and in the end rather retarded the cause they 
designed to benefit. The tariff of 1842 was favorable to our interests, 
when not fraudulently avoided, but even this has been withdrawn. I was 
at Washington when the question of repeal was agitating Congress. And 
when the subject of silk was undergoing the discussions of the committee, 
its interests were faithfully presented, and after Gen. M'Key's bill had 
been reported, an amendment every way favorable was introduced and 



37 

adopted by the committee in answer to petitions forwarded, and personal 
influence c xerted in the committee-room ; but this was subsequently re- 
considered and stricken out, and the wishes of speculating importers allowed 
to prevail over the known and acknozvledged interests of our own citizens, 
and the welfare of the Union. We have urged, in our report, the im- 
portance of connecting the culture of silk with the other operations of our 
farmers, and thus making it general. In our opinion this is the 07ily way 
to accomplish what we desire. 

This is the course adopted by every nation in which the business is 
carried to any great extent. It is not cominon to meet with those who 
make it an exclusive business. I suppose that few establishments in the 
tDorld exceed that of the German society at Economy, Penn. It can be 
made profitable upon a large scale ; but we can never expect to produce 
a supply except through the masses of our citizens, whose other pursuits 
enable them to engage in it to a moderate extent without interfering mate- 
rially with other branches, or adding much to their expense. The butter 
and cheese principle is the only one upon which we can depend. 

As the only means for bringing this about, we have urged state bounties. 
And here, rather than upon any measures the general government can 
adopt, are my hopes centred. Give us from each state permanent liberal 
bounties, first upon mulberry-trees, and then upon cocoons and reeled 
silk, and the progress of the business would astonish the world. 

1 believe it would be a wise policy for every state to establish, under 
competent superintendence, an extensive nursery, from which to supply 
the farmers with trees ; connected with which might be besides several 
large buildings for feeding a normal silk school and state filature. But 
with or without some such plan we must have bounties, or we shall never 
make silk. I have spent much time and some Jiwney in my efforts in this 
enterprise, but unless a new and better policy is soon adopted, I must 
withdraw my influence and abandon it forever. In this, I am sure, I 
speak the language of many others, who have done much, and whose in- 
fluence has been felt, too, in forwarding this business, and who would 
most gladly devote their lives to it. 

I would here suggest the propriety, inasmuch as this is a national con- 
vention, of preparing a general circular, or manorial, addressed to the 
legislatures of the several states, on the importance of offering bounties, 
and otherwise providing for the advancement of silk culture. It will not 
do to delay. I think such a memorial would elfect immense good. I 
hope it may be done. 

Mr. Meigs said he had taken some pains to learn what is going on in 
Europe in relation to silk. Though France raises great quantities of silk, 
it is not done under government patronage or by large associations. It 
is raised by individuals, single families, giving employment to children 
and old people. The only way to sustain and advance the culture of 
silk in any country is on this principle. Suppose the amount from each 
farm is small — say $25 only in value, look at the aggregate where near- 
ly every farm has this trifling moiety. 

Mr. Hyde spoke of successful cultivation in families and of instances of 
failure in companies. 

Mr. Wakeman observed that there was one subject which should be- 
come a constituent part of agricultural and of all education — a subject 
very much affecting the interests of a nation; it was, "the influence of 
the tariffs and commercial regulations of other nations upon our agriculture. 



38 

Mr. Ellsworth complimented Senator Niles, of Connecticut, on his ef- 
forts for the advancement of American manufactures, not only in public 
but private life. 

Gen. Mercer remarked that Great Britain was like the fox who lost his 
tail ; she had been absolutely forced to adopt free trade, and now she 
wants all other nations to do as she has done. America has every ad- 
vantage over England for manufacturing except cheap labor. England 
knows if she could induce all the great powers to proclaim free trade she 
would become the work shop of the world. Firm and liberal laws and 
mineral resources like those of England and America will make any na- 
tion great. I am satisfied that our country possesses these in a greater 
degree than any other on the face of the earth, and especially for manu- 
factures. Her extent is equal to that of Rome in her palmiest days ; 
1,600,000 square miles in the heart of the temperate zone. If Rome be- 
came so great in early ages, all the while embroiled in foreign or civil 
wars, what may not we become, with the intelligence of this later era 
and the advantages of peace ? England's power arises partly from her 
position, and partly from her mighty navy ; but for the channel, Bona- 
parte would have swept her from existence ; her navy, the strong arm of 
her defence, is sustained by her commerce, and commerce by her manu- 
factures. Commerce and manufactures make a nation. 

Hon. Mr. Simmons, U. S. Senator, from Rhode Island, said, " I have 
long desired for the benefit of all men to see this question of protection 
become the common sentiment, irrespective of party lines. We have dif- 
ferences of opinion enough on other subjects. This idea of protection 
forced itself upon me, not from books or froiri the declarations of others, 
but from the results of actual experience ; and it does me good to meet 
men with hearts so elevated as the honorable gentleman from Virginia, 
who boldly comes out in favor of what he once opposed — for if one effort 
of the mind is more excellent than another it is the correction of early 
and enduring impressions. [Mr. Simmons bore testimony to the exertions 
of Senator Niles, of Connecticut, with whom he had been associated on 
committees, and who " made more impression with less ostentation 
upon those he addressed," than any other man with whom he was ac- 
quainted.] The " influence of tariffs " is too broad to be here entered 
into. The gentleman who preceded me seemed to think that her judi- 
ciary system was the sheet anchor of England. I consider the sheet 
anchor of any nation to be liberal wages for labor, fair remuneration for 
the labor of the head and hand. If you have no starving people, you 
have no need for an energetic police. Remuneration for labor and cor- 
rect public sentiment through the medium of liberal education is the true 
basis of free government. One of the reasons for prosecuting all branches 
of industry in this country is the good influence of manufactures on 
agriculture. Our factories of all kinds are not congregated in one great 
Birmingham; we use water-power which necessarily disperses factories 
all over the country ; England uses steam, the effect of which is to ag- 
gregate factories and population. The moral effect of this concentration 
of wealth and workmen is bad, for where there is a dense popu- 
lation there will vice and misery seek a home. Water-pov/er, of 
which we have such an abunda: u :^ all over the land, is cheaper than 
steam, always by the value Oi. fuel and in many instances by the 
cost of fuel and engine. Water-power, forbidding aggregration and 



scattering factories all over the country, gives agriculture a market at her 
own door and furnishes the farmer with the very goods and implements 
he wants within an hour's ride of his homestead. In a moral view, too, it is 
good. The little villages springing up, new improved water-works are 
large enough to invite schools and academies, yet not so large as to sup- 
port gambling houses and like pestilences. In regard to the free trade, 
no nation but England could adopt it with any degree of rationality. It 
is her object, it is essential to her prosperity, that she should obtain the 
monopoly of the world. The German league excluded her fabrics in 
that quarter ; our coarse cottons interfered with her in several foreign 
ports ; rise in food was increasing the cost of production — for to give corres- 
ponding increased wages would bring the actual cost of many of her man- 
ufactures above that of ours. Therefore to compete with us, and reduce the 
cost of her productions, she must have cheaper food, which would follow 
free trade as a matter of course ; and therefore the duties were modi- 
fied. How far her agriculturists will question this modification, remains 
to be seen. But it is her policy in this modification to look for remunera- 
tion to other nations ; when she takes the value of £5,000,000 she ex- 
pects to send £10,000,000 in return, keeping the cash balance in her favor. 
I do not look upon the recent modification of our tariff as likely to be at 
once very pernicious ; the greatest evil that first ensues is want of confi- 
dence in the stability of the government policy. Some look upon all 
laws which spring from a parental regard by the government for the 
prosperity of her children, the people, as an interference with personal 
rights. Still there is no monopoly among us, as there has been in Eng- 
land in many instances. , Trade between our states and people is unre- 
stricted. What we desire by protection is security against foreign com- 
petition — to secure American supplies for American markets ; believing 
manufactures to be as desirable in this country as agriculture. In Rhode 
Island the cotton manufacture was begun the year she came into the 
Union. A memorial was immediately sent to Congress at Philadelphia 
asking to have the duty of 3 cents per pound on raw cotton taken off'. 
One of the Senators from Georgia advised the petitioners to take back 
their memorial, telling them that if the duty was kept on, Georgia would 
in a few years raise cotton enough to supply all the Union. The memor- 
ial was not presented, cotton enjoyed its protective duty unmolested, and 
the prophecy was quickly fulfilled. From this begmning, under protec- 
tion, our cotton crop has grown to an extent and importance unparalleled, 
still enjoying (I believe) its protective tariff; and in it we have material 
to clothe the world. I have always looked upon England as a great and 
generally well governed country, a country always looking to her own 
interests. There is much to admire in her character — more in her policy. 
Yet I never had the least apprehension of her power. We want in this 
country a little more self-reliance, and the position we occupy will be 
impregnable. I have often thought that if the government of the United 
States should assume any just position in opposition to European powers, 
and withhold our cotton from them for one year they would be willing to 
concede to our terms. It is our duty to be just toothers, generous to our- 
selves. I have great hope in such bodies as the American Institute, and 
desire that party may never thrust its unwelcome presence therein. 1 
hope that all our people, without distinction of party, will look upon pro- 
tection to our industry as a question in which all are alike interested. I 
have no party feeling therein ; I urge it as an American measure of deep 



40 

interest to all Americans ; and I believe that the gratitute of laboring men 
will be the rich reward of those of our leading men who do most in this 
great cause. 

Mr. Ellsworth spoke briefly of some eastern manufactories, and 
urged the importance of that branch of our industry. 

Mr. Meigs. What is protection ? A defence against something. A 
roof is a protection against the rain ; a fort is protection against an ene- 
my. What do you ask of a power ? Do you ask protection in your re- 
ligion ? If it is not granted, who will blame you if you plant a cannon 
in your church to defend your right of conscience ? Do you ask pro- 
tection in your work -shops ? Plant your cannon there also. My idea of 
protection goes this extreme length. And this protection is no new dis- 
covery ; it was familiar to such men as Hamilton and Jefferson and 
President Stiles inculcated it in 1760. 

Mr. Ellsworth spoke briefly of the water-power and manufactures in 
and near Hartford. Connecticut. 

Dr. Underbill, from the committee of grapes and wine made the fol- 
lowing 

REPORT 

Of the Committee appointed hy the Convention of Farmers, Gardeners and 
Silk Culturists, on the culture of the native grape for wine, and for the 
Table. 

Whereas, the culture of the native grape for wine and for the table has 
been tried successfully, while every attempt to introduce the foreign for 
vineyard purposes has failed : and whereas, the amount of money that 
might be kept in the country, that is now sent abroad for these purposes, 
would be many millions, which would open a new field for the industry 
of our people : and whereas, the well known antiseptic and diluent proper- 
ties of the grape, when used freely, exert a beneficial influence on the 
constitution, enabling it to ward off the autumnal fevers, an effect observed 
so frequently in the vineyard districts of France, that it has become a 
common expression, that if you use the grape freely you will escape the fall 
fevers. 

Therefore Resolved, That the culture of the native grape is a subject of 
primary importance, and that it be recommended to all the agricultural 
associations over the Union, to make experiments with the different kinds 
growing in their vicinity, to ascertain their properties, to test their qualities, 
procure seedlings from them, and by high cultivation to secure such a 
variety of choice grapes, as will lay the foundation for as successful vine- 
yard culture in this country as has been attained in any part of Europe. 

On behalf of the committee, 

R. T. UNDERHILL, Chairman. 

Mr. Hall said, he was not aware that he was a member of the commit- 
tee whose report had just been read. He dissented from some of its sec- 
tions. The benefit of grapes in fevers he was not prepared to admit. 
Nor did he entirely agree with what was said in relation to raising foreign 
grapes in open air. 

Dr. Underbill said foreign grapes could sometimes be raised with great 
care, in gardens, but there was not a successful vineyard of them in the 
country, though they had been tried in almost every state in the Union. 



41 

So far as he knew, every vineyard had entirely failed. Yet if any one 
chooses, let him tread the beaten track of failure, lie would not object. 

Mr. Hall agreed as respects large vineyards. But we have a wide 
country, many parts of which have not yet been tried. There is at least 
room for further experiment. 

Dr. Underbill said the foreign vines had been taken up at Georgetown 
College, and the Isabella and Catawba are to lake their place. He related 
the failure of foreign grapes in Ohio, Indiana, and many other states. 
Still he would be glad to see foreign varieties cultivated under glass for 
early table fruit. But our native grapes may easily be made to produce 
so abundant as to supply our tables for eight months in the year, and 
make a sufliciency of wine besides. Moreover they may be so improved, 
and in some instances have been, as to be almost, I may say quite as good 
as the best foreign varieties. As an article of food, they are valuable at 
all seasons, more especially in Autumn, when their antiseptic properties 
dilute the blood, carry olf the bile, and reduce the tendency to bilious 
fever and kindred complaints. 

Gen. Dearborn said, I bestowed during eight or ten years great care 
and labor on foreign grape vines ; after patiently trying every art and 
science to produce a favorable result, I succeeded in raising just no grapes 
at all, and all my exertions ended in smoke, ibr I pulled up the vines and 
burnt them. My father was government minister at Lisbon, and while 
there took great pains to get choice vines, which he forwarded with ample 
directions to me. I cultivated them seven years with no success, and 
then dug them up. I now have the Isabellas and Catawbas. There is 
scarcely a man near Boston but has made like experiments. Sometimes 
they got a bunch of grapes, generally not ; unless, indeed, they kept their 
vines under glass, in which case the fruit was abundant and tine, as the 
exhibitions of the Horticultural Society, over which I have the honor to 
preside, have shown. We have had these grapes highly praised by men 
who have traveled along the shores of the Mediterranean — the very region 
of good grapes. When I was in Congress, 1 visited Col. Adam's, Presi- 
dent Madison's and Governor Barbour's vineyards, in all which the foreign 
vines had failed. On the plantation once the seat of Joel Barlow, a man 
of considerable reputation as a horticulturist, the foreign vines had been 
dug up and natives substituted. When the refugees from France came 
to this country, Congress gave them a tract of land on the Black 
Warrior. There they planted a noble vineyard of foreign vines ; but it 
was very soon abandoned. Many other instances of the disastrous result 
of cultivating foreign vines I could mention, but these will suffice. Con- 
cerning the healthful properties of grapes, a single statement will be 
satisfactory. Some years ago, while a French army was going to Italy, 
they halted for a time at the foot of the Alps. While there, a malignant 
dysentery broke out among them, and men died with alarming rapidity. 
The disease baffled all the efforts of the French army physicians — and of 
their skill fame has borne abundant witness. They went to an eminent 
physician of the town near by, craving his counsel. "Give them ripe 
grapes," said he ; "send out your commissaries and buy up all the vine- 
yards ; let those who are able go into them and eat as long as they choose, 
and bring in enough for their feebler companions." This advice was 
followed, and to the surprise of the army the disease was instantly stop- 
ped. No more were taken sick, and many who had been given up to die 
recovered. 



43 

Dr. Underbill was glad to hear this confirmation of his experience from 
a gentleman so trite and correct in his observations as the honorable 
chairman. 

Mr. Wakeman observed that much had been said of the great stress 
laid upon protection by the American Institute. He thought that mem- 
bers should be guarded in expressing their views. He had been a member 
from the first, and never knew a question of politics raised. The first 
address was issued to the public by the Institute almost twenty years ago. 
It was then unanimously approved in a full meeting at Tammany Hall 
by all political parties. Col. Few, one of the grand sachems of Tam- 
many, presided at the meeting, and signed the address as president, and 
John Mason, one of our best and most successful merchants, as vice pre- 
sident. Not a whisper that it was political from any quarter. The same 
principles have been advocated down to this time, and unhesitatingly 
sanctioned by tlie members composed of all parties. What grand dis- 
covery is now made, that has escaped the keen vision of all that have 
gone before ? It is preposterous ! I can bear witness that to my recol- 
lection, among all the members admitted for nineteen years, I never heard 
the question, to what political party the candidate belonged. And every 
clerk will bear testimony to the same. At his request 

Mr. Meigs read a portion of the records of the Institute, dated March 
11th, 1828, as follows : 

ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS OF THE AMERICAN 
INSTITUTE. 

At a meeting of the " American Institute of the city of New York," held 
at Tammany Hall on the 11th of March, 1828, the committee appointed 
for that purpose, submitted the following address to the society, and on 
motion it was resolved. That the same be adopted, signed by the president, 
vice presidents and secretaries, and published. 

Resolved, That the formation of societies similar to this Institute, in the 
different counties of this state and the neighboring states, be recommended 
to the friends of the ' American System,' and that they be requested to 
give public notice of their several organs of communication. 

Resolved, That associations embracing similar objects with this Insti- 
tute, that already are, or that may hereafter be formed, are invited to 
correspond with this association, for the purpose of collecting and diffusing 
information. 

ADDRESS. 

Fellow Citizens — The members and associates of '' The American Insti- 
tute of the city of New York," having been impelled by motives which, we 
are conscious, proceed from public spirit and patriotism alone, to organize 
a society under the above title, it belongs to us, in submitting our proceed- 
ings to the public eye, to present to you the considerations by which we 
have been actuated. We shall accordingly state to you, with entire 
frankness, the objects of our association, and the means which we propose 
for their accomplishment. 

The members of the society, entertaining the same views in relation ta 
the policy of encouraging and protecting our national industry, have be- 
lieved that the most effectual service that can be rendered to that cause, 
is the diffusion of a more thorough and intimate knowledge of our national 
resources — agricultural, commercial and manufacturing. Anticipating, 



43 

from the inquiries and labors of zealous advocates of our principles, acting 
in concert, the most favorable operation upon public sentiment, they have 
resolved to unite themselves as a society, under the name of " The Ameri- 
can Institute of the city of New York." In the constitution it has adopted, 
the objects of its foundation are declared to be : " to promote, improvements 
in the mechanic arts : to encourage American industry in agriculture, manu- 
factures and commerce : and to sustain such a system of policy as xcill -pro- 
tect the great national interests of our country.'' 

Such are the objects of our society : and although in attempting by our 
humble labors to contribute to the advancement of these great interests, 
we may not escape the charge of presumption, — we hope at least to 
gain credit for patriotic intentions. As our efforts are to be directed 
to the connection and investigation of facts — to the examination of the 
sure sources of national wealth and prosperity ; as we propose, from 
time to time, to appeal to the public attention with established facts 
and principles ; with dispassionate reasoning and researciies alone ; may 
we not reasonably confide, not only that our motives will be favorably- 
appreciated, but that some success may follow our exertions 1 A bene- 
ficial influence may always be exerted upon the public mind by stimulating 
inquiry ; erroneous notions and prejudices may be corrected,^and we may 
aid in inspiring that self reliance upon American skill and American in- 
dustry which becomes a nation of our population and resources. In a 
government like ours, the basis on which all legislative encourasjement to 
national industry can alone repose, must be the information and'wishes of 
the people. We have all seen and felt the importance, when the public 
sentiment was to be warmed into action, of concentrating the scattered 
rays of light by artificial means. It is thus that animation and movement 
are produced, while, in the ordinary course of events, an atmosphere would 
have prevailed, dense with palpable ignorance, and fatal to activity and 
enterprise. 

Similar societies for the promotion of domestic industry, have for many 
years existed in several of our sister cities ; much of the valuable infor- 
mation, and the tone of public sentiment throughout our country, in favor 
of the American System, may be traced to their activity and concert. 
Their example may serve at once for our guide and our encouragement. 
The permanent prosperity of our country, we conceive, must depend upon 
maintaining a perfect union ; a healthful action and re-action helween the three 
great branches of our national industry. To maintain such an equihbrium 
among them as nearly as possible, is the avowed object, and as "we believe, 
the sure tendency of the principles of the AmericanSystem. The agricul- 
ture, or the commerce, or the manufactures, of any particular cmintry, 
may either of them, under supposable circumstances, be so lucrative a 
channel of employment, that the great mass of its capital and all its enter- 
prise shall tend toward that particular employment for years together. As 
long as the circumstances exist which gave that impulse and direction to 
them, so long will that particular channel swell with a tide of capital and 
industry, which shall overflow and enrich the whole country. In such a 
peculiar state of any one branch of the industry of a naiion, the com- 
parative neglect of the others would scarcely be felt or perceived. But 
it is only an extraordinary state of the wholc'world that could produce so 
miraculous an effect upon any one branch of the industry of any particu- 
lar country. An entirely opposite state of things now prevails, and has, 
with trifling exceptions, prevailed in all modern nations and times. The 
mutual dependence and support of agriculture, commerce and manufac* 



44 

tures, in the ordinary and permanent state of our country, in particular 
are so universally recognized as to have passed into a maxim : it is on 
that basis that the policy and legislation of our country, to promote the 
general welfare, must be founded. The national wealth and prosperity 
must flow from the reciprocal action : the intimate dependence and mutual 
demands of all the three branches of our national industry. To produce 
this practical unity — to establish between agriculture, manufactures and 
commerce, a permanent system of mutual exchanges, has been the aim 
and labor of all great statesmen in modern times, who have aimed at making 
their country rich, prosperous and powerful. They have cherished inter- 
nal as well as external commerce ; not as a separate and isolated interest, 
but as interwoven and incorporated with agricultural and manufacturing 
industry. It is impossible that too much encouragement can be given to 
either class of industry, unless accompanied with measures tending to 
depress the others. To encourage one, is to encourage all ; so intimate is 
the relation between them — so perfect their unity and identity of interest- 
Fully impressed with the truth of these general principles, it is with 
the deepest concern and regret that we daily witness so many attempts, in 
various quarters, to create and perpetuate a spirit unfriendly to the growth 
and prosperity of our own manufactures. It is as much to be wondered 
at, as to be deplored, that misguided zeal should be so long able to with- 
stand the lights of experience, as well as the deductions of reason, on this 
subject. We are persuaded that the idea which has obtained in some 
quarters, that the extension and prosperity of American manufactures are 
unfriendly to American commerce, internal or external, is not of domestic 
origin. The very first commercial regulations of our goverament under 
the new constitution — the tariff established at the commencement of 
Washington's administration ; — that act proclaims, upon its face and front, 
that the duties are established, as well for the encouragement of our own 
manufactures, as for the collection of revenue. 

It was at that period of our government that the sagacious and profound 
statesman, who then presided over the treasury department, recommended 
to the wisdom of Congress the protection of our infant manufactures. If 
the illustrious author of the report which contains that recommendation, 
had left behind him no other memorial of his enlarged and liberal policy, 
of the vast reach of his political views, of his wisdom and decision, the 
name of Hamilton would have gone down to posterity as the Colbert of his 
country. It is memorable, that at that period the correctness of his prin- 
ciples was almost universally assented to by American statesmen. Our 
manufactures had then scarcely budded. They were not of sufficient 
importance to awaken the jealousy of foreign manufacturers. But as 
they have struck their roots wider and deeper in our soil, as their branches 
have spread so as to cast an increasing shadow upon foreign competition, 
we have seen a new spirit and theory of national policy set up in opposi- 
tion to the spirit and the theory which Hamilton inculcated. If this new 
hypothesis had been confined to those who were at the pains to instruct 
us, that it was our true policy to continue to buy foreign manufactures 
and neglect our own, because the foreign manufacturer could afford to 
undersell the A merican, then the error would not have been very exten- 
sive, or of very long continuance. But the foreign authors of it called to 
their aid the theories of free and unrestricted commerce ; totally inappli- 
cable and absurd, while their own governments loaded our commerce with 
restrictions and prohibitions. They summoned to their aid, also, the pre- 
judices of a large portion of the commercial community, by alarming their 



45 

fears with predictions of the unfavorable operation of manufactures on 
foreign commerce, and by representing them as an interest rival and 
hostile to the commercial. They have sought also, with great success, 
to rouse the jealousies of the cotton planter, and to persuade him that he 
must buy foreign manufactures, or pay exorbitant prices for inferior 
American fabrics, if he did not indeed lorfeit the foreign market for his 
cotton. These have been the chief elements of the opposition, which has 
been so long maintained to the American System. 

Over all these obstacles and errors that system has thus far triumphed, 
A large majority of the American people are known and admitted to be 
in its favor. Its progress is steady, and its march is firm. But an active 
and zealous minority have often, in this as in other instances, succeeded 
in delaying where they could not eventually defeat. Exertions and sacri- 
fices are made to sustain the interest of the foreign manufacturer, which, 
if made in the cause of American industry, from patriotic, and not from 
narrow and interested motives, would entitle these champions to civic 
wreaths, and the public gratitude. 

The friends of the American system are called upon to make some 
efforts in counteraction of principles and designs which we believe to be 
subversive of the true and enlightened policy of our country. We, in 
particular, are called on to vindicate our commercial emporium from the 
reproach — that a spirit exists here, among our own citizens, unfriendly to 
the growth of American manufactures ; unfriendly to the equal pace of 
agricultural, manufacturing and commercial prosperity. 

As if the city of New York, the great mart to which the products of 
the whole country, which enter into commerce, agricultural or manufac- 
turing, tend with a centripetal force, which every day enlarges its sphere 
of attraction ; — to which agriculture and manufactures, even beyond the 
mountains, are constantly seeking avenues — as if the commerce of such 
a city was to be a loser and not a gainer by their general prosperity and 
activity ! 

There needs but little insight into the details of the commerce of our 
city and the country at large, to show how utterly groundless and falla- 
cious in experience the idea has been proved — that manufactures are 
injurious to commerce, and that as they increase commerce must decline. 

Precisely the reverse is the verdict of experience. For as our manu- 
factures have increased, the variety and amount of our exports have 
increased along with them. Already our coarse cotton fabrics come into 
competition with, if they do not indeed exclude, those of European nations 
in South American markets. The most valuable commerce which any 
nation can carry on, must always be the interchange of the productions 
of its own industry, for those of other nations who will receive them. 
Agricultural products, bread-stuffs in particular, few countries will ordi- 
narily receive from any other; for almost all depend on their own soil for 
their supplies, and take unwearied pains to foster their own agriculture. 
As our manufactures increase in extent and variety, we furnish more 
articles for export to the different nations in the four quarters of the globe, 
with whom we carry on commerce, who do not produce them. If we 
seize on these proffered facilities, our own agriculture and manufactures, 
like those of England and France, will sustain and extend our foreign 
commerce. We have succeeded in foreign markets, by the help of pro- 
tection, in some articles of extensive demand. Why not in others with 
the same advantages ? Is there a hopeless want of skill, of industry or of 
capital m our country, that should consign us to despair and inactivity ? 



46 

Is there an American that will give countenance to such a reproach — 
who will not repel it as an insulting calumny upon his country? 

At this era, we need not long dread the prevalence of the idea 
we have alluded to, of any injurious operation upon foreign commerce 
resulting from manufactures. Experience is every day refuting it, with 
proofs that must soon accumulate to an irresistible force. But it is our 
task to aid, if possible, in hastening the complete triumph of a system 
which has yet to encounter so many and serious obstacles. 

It has still to encounter, as heretofore, the resistance of an army of 
foreign agents ; backed by the specious objections and arguments of their 
domestic allies, who, though refuted again and again, can argue still as 
ingeniously as ever. It has to encounter the threats of violent enemies, 
the treachery of pretended, and the neglect of lukewarm friends. It has 
still to contend against ancient errors and misrepresentations, and still 
more ancient and besotted prejudices. It belongs to its friends to pro- 
nounce, by their activity and constancy, whether the contest shall be ended 
at once and forever: or whether it shall be left to time and accident to 
bring it to a close — whether this system shall be practically enforced, or 
remain for years a theme of still beginning discussions and debates. 

After all that has taken place, we rally, at this time, under the most 
auspicious circumstances. The American System has found favor in the 
eyes of a large majority of the American people ; and their voice is daily 
demanding its extension, in a louder and more imperative tone. There 
needs but concert and activity to give it the force and form of an irre- 
versible decree. 

In adopting this mode of uniting our exertions, and in recommending 
the same course to our fellow citizens who concur in our views, through 
the state and country, we are most solicitous to avoid all imputation of 
party motives and designs. We have suffered no feelings or views, in 
relation to the parties of the day, to intrude into our deliberations. On 
all occasions, we shall most scrupulously abstain from any interference 
in the struggle for power, which has unhappily severed our country into 
two political parties, except in so far as either of them may evince hostility 
10 the protection of American industry. With a deep concern for our 
country's welfare and honor, we cannot but deplore the spirit with which 
the contest is conducted. But this expression of our regret is the only 
allusion we shall make to its existence. 

The only political object to which we direct our labors, we have already 
freely avowed. It is to aid in rallying the friends of the American Sys- 
tem in support of its principles ; in giving such an impulse to the public 
sentiment in its favor, that whoever may administer the government, and 
whoever may legislate for the general welfare, the voice of the people shall 
be heard in unison on t. is subject at least — demanding in terms not to be 
mistaken, that full and unstinted protection to American industry, of which 
our agriculture, our manufactures and commerce all stand in equal need. 
Neio York, March, 1828. 

William Few, President. 
John Mason, 1st Vice President. 

C. Bolton, 2d do 

Peter H. Schenck, 3d do 

Enos Baldwin, 4th do 
Anson Haydn, 5th do 



.ToHN B Yates, } g^^^^^^, 

J. A. felDELL, ^ 



in 



47 

Mr. Ellsworth agreed in the importance of excluding all politics 
whatever shape, from the doings of thft American Institu'te. 

Mr. Wakeman said it had been usual to call this Convention together, 
hy resolution, at the former session, during the Fairs of the Institute. He 
now raised a question of expediency in regard to its meetinfr at such 
times. ° 

Mr. Van Wyck thought, as the object was to get as full an attendance 
as possible, it might be rxpedient to meet at some other time. 

Other suggestions were made by Messrs. Ellsworth and Lawrence. 
Gen. Dearborn differed from the previous speakers toto ca-Io. We 
don't come here to inform each other ; we come for more definite objects. 
I do not believe in instruction by great meetings and studied eloquence. 
In the learned societies of Europe a few men do all the work. In Con- 
gress when a subject has been debated half the session, it may be refer- 
red to a committee of nine — if three of the committee attends its business 
session it is very good luck, and then some good, easy member must be 
found who is willing to undertake the getting up of the bill. He does 
the work as best suits him, and that is often all the committee knows or 
cares of it until it is read. The immortal works of Praxiteles, Milton, 
Newton and La Place were not produced by great conventions, nor yet 
small committees — only one mind could work out their immortality. I 
do not believe in talking — we come here to do something. But as I am 
not a member of your Institute, I am perhaps intruding with these re- 
marks. I can only plead a Yankee's meddlesome privilege, and hope you 
will excuse me if I assume too much for my station. 

Mr. Meigs said it would never do to discontinue these meetinfrs. It 
does not require a large attendance to do good. The Athenceum in'Livr- 
pool is a notable instance of what a k\v may accomplish. Roscoe, meet- 
ing a friend one morning, began to recount "the necessity for such a build- 
ing. They agreed to call a meeting ; advertised largely, and got toge- 
ther two men only — themselves. Roscoe was appointed chairman and his 
friend secretary; they, the meeting, " unanimously res Jved " thus and 
so, as the case required, and published their proceedings the next morning 
as those of a highly enthusiastic and respectable meeting, which none 
could gainsay. A subscription was opened, and in a short"time the splen- 
did edifice was erected. Dr. Mitchell, twenty-five years ago, got up an 
agricultural society, the preliminary meeting of which he alone at- 
tended. 

Mr. Folsom remonstrated against abandoning these meetings. A great 
deal of knowledge was here obtained. He was aware that" words were 
not wisdom — that the only way to advance was to work alone ; but we 
want prompting, and wc here get limits to work upon, which we scatter 
on our separation to all parts of the country. 

Dr. Underbill was not sorry for Mr. Wakeman's suggestion ; not that 
he by any means desired the Convention discontinued, but it showed how 
it was appreciated by those present. He hoped its meetings would be con- 
tinued as at present; the Fair brings together just the men we want from 
all parts of the country. 

The chairman suggested that a room nearer the Fair would be better. 
If a man gets but one good idea at one of these meetings it well pays him 
for coming. 

After a few words from Mr. Ellsworth on the increase of the cattle 
show from year to year, 



48 

On motion of Mr. Lawrence, the Convention adjourned to meet during 
the next annual Fairs, on a day to be hereafter fixed. 

H. A. S. DEARBORN, President. 

r» T Tj } Secretaries. 

D.J. Browne, ) 

The following memorial was read and approved by the Convention : 

To THE Honorable Legislature of the State of New York. 

The Farmers' Club of the American Institute respectfully petition your 
honorable body for the establishment of an agricultural college and ex- 
perimental farm, near the city of New York under the care of the Ameri- 
can Institute. 

Your petitioners believe that in the purchase of a farm and erectioil 
of suitable buildings, the state reserving the right of property — no pe- 
cuniary loss to the state will ensue on account of the increasing value of 
land near this greatly increasing metropolis. 

We need not tell such men as constitute the majority of your honorable 
body, that to the agricultural branch of national industry every possible 
encouragement is eminently due. 

We only endeavor to show that we are of the fixed faith that a: 
republic rests upon agricultural labor not only for its comfort and 
wealth, but upon the workers of the land for virtu'e and for perpetuity 
of our great republican system. We wish also to say, that notwith- 
standing men have always found the true glory of their existence de- 
pendent on agricultural labors — yet it has occured in the history of na- 
tions, that a false pride, generated by wealth and prosperity has been the 
cause of the decline and fall of empires. When a nation has ceased to 
honor the cultivators of the land it has been consumed by the consequence 
of that neglect. We desire to say that no expense and no effort should 
be spared to sustain and to honor the labor of the farmer — by public pro- 
tection, by public notice, by public rewards rendering that ambition now 
more common in the other pursuits of life — greatly more so in the noble 
pursuits of the farmer. 

And that the highest degree of instruction should be given to our culti- 
vators — so that every product of the farm of the world may be intro- 
duced among us, and every information in relation to them may be uni- 
versally diffused. 

With this view we believe that an agricultural college and experimen- 
tal farm can be of distinguished advantage to our county. And as the 
city of New York is by commerce connected with all parts of the world, 
and readily receives all the productions of the earth, and by the vast 
consumption of food — by the manure of more cattle and horses, SfC, on 
this spot than on any other in America, by the refuse of articles employ- 
ed in works of all sorts, the city of New York is capable of affording 
more material for fertilizing soil than any other spot in this country. For 
it is a fair subject of calculation and will result in this, that the half mil- 
lion of people in New York and the immediate vicinity furnish those 
means for enriching more land than will sustain a million of people. And 
the city is also full of strangers from all parts of the world who can be 
induced to bring with them from every quarter, seeds, plants, animals, 
books and every thing that a state experimental farm can employ, at the 
least expense. 



4§ 

And as it has a great and increasing population, of which it is desira- 

ble that thousands should be made to love and understand agriculture as 

there are numerous sensible capitalists who prefer for their children the 
life of a farmer rather than manufactures or than the learned professions, 
who would avail themselves of such a college as this, we hope that 
your honorable body will take the first important step in our country for 
the establishment of such a college. We respectfully urge these as 
arguments for commencing the agricultural education here, hoping that 
when the trial here is found to be successful, then the state will establish 
like institutions in all the sections of our country suitable for them. If 
there is any thing true in our views of the distinguished importance of 
such an agricultural school, where could it do more good than in the 
vicinity, under the eye of a vast city population. We trust that of all 
public institutions cuch an one, by its wholesome example, would contin- 
ually attract from inferior avocations, thousands of the growing youth of 
the city to the manly, noble exercises of such a school as this, keeping 
thus always before the eye of our great metropolis the inestimable evi- 
dence of the high value of a practical, economical, intelligent and healthy 
nursery of young men, contrasting deeply with the puny inefficient off- 
spring of mere city growth. The American Institute would provide in 
such a college, that every student should acquire the best knowledge to 
be obtained from the rest of the world, and that he every day practically 
execute with his own hands the various work of a farm, and give him 
at once such an education as would enable him to farm in the best man- 
ner, and to represent his fellow citizens if necessary in the halls of legis- 
lation. 

It is high time in our opinion that such should be the education of an 
American citizen, so that a large majority of the representatives at all 
times should be farmers well educated. 

And when we consider how large is the amount appropriated for col- 
leges and univei-sities, we think that it is becoming in the landed interest 
to ask for a liberal appropriation for that, the superior consideration of 
country. 

The governments of the old world are recently making great efforts at 
the national expense in this interesting subject. America ought to be 
foremost. Her people should never suffer kings and emperors to shadow 
the glory of our republic by leading in such eminent legislation as this. 
Let us have the richest farms, the most excellent crops, the most perfect 
ploughs, spades and hoes — and above all other things the most highly in- 
telligent men to use them all. 

This was so in the best days of the greatest nations, and we believe that 
it is our duty to excel them all. It is but to say so and it will be done. 
Your wisdom will easily regulate the conduct of the agricultural college ; 
you will make its administration strictly economical as that of all farms 
should be ; you will shut out all profligacy in manners or expenses ; you 
will order it so that it shall be profitable to its members, profitable to our 
country and a distinguished honor to the empire state. 

Your memorialists having thus stated the view taken by them of this in- 
teresting question, further beg leave thus to say that they desire only to 
bring before your honorable body the purpose they have in contempla- 
tion. Relying upon the wisdom of your honorable body to carry into ex- 
ecution the system of practical and theoretical education of men by 
any other ways and means more advisable in your judgment. Asking^ 



50 

leave merely to say, that from the history of the conduct of the American 
Institute during the eighteen years of its existence, your honorable 
body may, we respectfblly say, place that confiddence in the Insti- 
tute which is necessary to place such an institution for education under its 
charge. 

JEREMIAH JOHNSON, 

President. 
"■ H. MEIGS, 

Secretary, 



LIBRARY Of;, 



CONGRESS 



JP-; 




